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Ramaphosa back in Lesotho

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Maseru, Lesotho, on Monday as part of the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) efforts to bring stability to the country, his office said.

The SADC's efforts were intended to help the country return to "political and security normalcy", spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement.

Ramaphosa has so far led the SADC facilitation mission to Lesotho four times, to facilitate dialogue amongst Lesotho's political role players.

In an attempt to bring stability to the country, Ramaphosa facilitated the signing of the Maseru Facilitation Declaration amongst Lesotho's main political players.

Hugely politicised

The declaration provided for the reconvening of Lesotho's parliament by King Letsie III on Friday. The parliamentary sitting discussed the country's budget and the holding of elections.

National elections were expected to be held at the end of February next year, on a date to be set by the king.

The declaration also provided for parliament to dissolve at the beginning of December.

Ramaphosa returns to South Africa on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the SABC reports that Ramaphosa would seek to bring together Lesotho’s warring security forces, the army and the police.

"The army and the police have become hugely politicised," Ramaphosa said, adding that "this is very unhealthy in any democracy.... it's something that should not happen".

Watch the video below in which Ramaphosa speaks.

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