22 Feb 2015

Southern African Development Community (SADC) has congratulated Basotho for having chosen a peaceful route to resolve their political challenges.

A statement from SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) says in the case of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the current elections were held as part of a joint effort by the Basotho people and the region as a whole to find a lasting solution that will lead to peace, security and stability in the kingdom. 

The statement read: “It is important to emphasise that the current ongoing dialogue among the Basotho in their quest for peace, security and stability in the country is fully supported and facilitated by SADC, but at the end of the day the decision lies in the hands of the people to resolve their political differences peacefully; rebuild and develop their own nation.”

The statements further says as SADC member states embraced democratic values and practices, SEOM has a primary responsibility, as representatives of this region, to ensure adherence to the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as well as to relevant African Union and international instruments and best practices; as to establish whether the elections have been conducted in a manner that is peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible.

“In executing this responsibility, SADC is mindful of the fact that the responsibility to hold peaceful, free and fair elections, in fact, lies with the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho for which dissemination of democratic values among all stakeholders is fundamental,” reads the statement.

The statement further notes that in discharging its mandate, the conduct of SEOM will be guided by the Constitution and the Electoral Laws of the Kingdom of Lesotho and by the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. ENDS