Lesotho elected to lead SADC security organ
Prime Minister Sam Matekane took over the chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation following a virtual summit yesterday.
Lesotho has been appointed the incoming chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Prime Minister Sam Matekane was elected to the position during an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held virtually yesterday. This appointment concludes a deadlock between Lesotho and Angola that had delayed the decision since August 2026.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed Mr Matekane’s election, placing Lesotho on the Organ Troika alongside Eswatini and Malawi. Foreign Affairs Minister Limpho Tau stated the appointment signifies regional confidence in Lesotho’s political stability, urging citizens to celebrate. Mr Tau noted this comes after Lesotho was removed from the SADC agenda in 2025, having been on it since 2014.
The summit addressed ongoing instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the need for continued support for Madagascar's political stability. President Ramaphosa emphasized that peace, security, and political stability are foundational for regional development and prosperity, highlighting the need for continued cooperation to resolve disputes and strengthen democratic governance.
Why it mattersLesotho's government has been entrusted with a leadership role in regional security, reflecting a shift in international perception of the country's stability.