Early reflections on the SADC double troika on Lesotho

The summit was prompted by the recently deadlocked talks between the ruling coalition partners in Lesotho but also addressed other pressing issues in SADC’s in tray such as the Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process of FDLR combatants in the DRC. The summit came after emergency mediation talks led by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, between Lesotho’s coalition partners in the aftermath of August 30 attempted coup had deadlocked.

This contribution will provide some early reflections on the resolutions of the summit based on five analytical points. Firstly, the summit has confirmed the fact that SADC views the crisis in Lesotho as essentially a political problem requiring a political solution and not a military one. They have as such spared no effort in exhausting non-military methods of resolving the deadlock.