UNITED NATIONS, August 31 (RIA Novosti) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said he is concerned about the reported coup in Lesotho.
“The Secretary-General is concerned about the reported military takeover in Lesotho. He calls for respect for the constitutional order and democratic rule. He urges all parties to refrain from violence and work together towards a peaceful and lasting resolution of their differences,” the official UN statement said.
UN Secretary General Ban concluded on Sunday that he “welcomes earlier efforts by SADC [Southern African Development Community], the Commonwealth and other partners of Lesotho to support the restoration of trust among the members of the Coalition Government and urges all parties to continue to play an active role in the promotion of peace in Lesotho. He reaffirms the continued support of the United Nations to these efforts.”
On Saturday, the Lesotho Defense Force took control over government buildings, the radio and TV stations, resulting in a total black out in broadcast.
Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled the country to South Africa accusing the army of staging a coup. Thabane said he would return to his country as soon as he knew he “was not going to get killed”. Lesotho's Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing is now running the government.
The Government of South Africa said in a statement that “South Africa in her capacity as the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security remains committed to assisting the leaders of the Coalition Government to find a lasting political solution to their current challenges.”
