Pretoria - South African Deputy President and SADC Facilitator Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 22 September 2014, arrived in Maseru, the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho for his two day working visit to pursue his regional mandate to help restore peace, stability and democracy in the country.

Since his appointment by the SADC Double Troika of Heads of State and Government plus DRC and Tanzania, the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid his first visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho on Thursday 18 September 2014.

During the visit the Facilitator paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III, held meetings with leaders of the Coalition Government led by Prime Minister Tom Thabana, main and small opposition political parties as well as the College of Chiefs.

Supported by a team of SADC Troika member-states experts and secretariat, led by the Deputy Executive Secretary Dr. Themba Mhlongo, the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa will today, Monday 22 September 2014 and tomorrow, Tuesday 23 September 2014 continue to meet with all political and other role players in Lesotho to help create a climate conducive for the people of the Kingdom to resolve their political challenges in accordance with the constitution, laws of the land and in line with democratic principles.

Critical in this regard is the urgent need to address all political and security challenges in preparation for the brought forward elections, the reopening of parliament, stabilisation of the security situation and thus help the Kingdom of Lesotho return to constitutional normalcy.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency on behalf of SADC Troika