Lesotho Prime Minister Notifies SADC Over Plot to Unseat Him

Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane notified Southern African Development Community (SADC) that “selfish” politicians were plotting his ouster.

He did so via a letter addressed to SADC’s chairperson Hakainde Hichilema, who is also chairperson of regional bloc’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Matekane said “political uncertainties” existed due to a motion of no confidence submitted by Democratic Congress the largest opposition party, with backing from smaller parties.

The vote of no confidence was subsequently stopped on 16 October, with a court interdict which suspended parliamentary business, including national budget.

This action is a result of a 2020 constitutional revision that limited the executive branch’s authority and it may have compromised Matekane’s capacity to survive the parliamentary challenge.