Ramaphosa back in Lesotho to facilitate political normalcy

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to Maseru, Lesotho on Wednesday to facilitate the country's return to political normalcy, his office said.

Ramaphosa, the South African Development Community (SADC) facilitator, would pursue SADC's Troika mandate to facilitate political and security normalcy, spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement.

Ramaphosa would consult with political role-players including King Letsie III.

"Thus far the SADC regional facilitation efforts have yielded positive results with the reconvening of parliament by His Majesty King Letsie III which took place on Friday, 17 October in Maseru."

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

The declaration provided for the reconvening of Lesotho's parliament by King Letsie III on 17 October. 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 would return to South Africa on Thursday.