MASERU – Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, on Monday postponed plans to reopen parliament in Maseru, nine days after an alleged coup attempt.
The Government’s spokesman, Ramakhula Ramakhula, said Lesotho’s three governing parties agreed a week ago in South Africa to lift suspension of parliament ordered by Thabane to avoid a no-confidence vote in June.
He said the deal brokered by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was seen as a first step to restore order after the country’s August 30, coup. [eap_ad_2] Ramakhula said parliament was due to reopen on September 19, but the move has been postponed until it has been clarified who is in charge of the army.
Meanwhile, South African President Jacob Zuma and International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane are expected in Lesotho on Tuesday.
The South African president’s office said in a statement that Zuma was expected to meet King Letsie III and leaders of the coalition parties in order to assist the kingdom to restore peace and stability.
The mountain kingdom of 2 million residents, located inside eastern South Africa, has experienced frequent political unrest since independence from Britain in 1966. (dpa/NAN)[eap_ad_3]
