AU Expresses Worry Over Lesotho Coup As South Africa Asks Troops To return to Barracks 

The African Union (AU) has warned against any unconstitutional change of  government in Lesotho.

The AU warning comes after military forces staged a military  coup over the weekend.

Chairperson of the AU Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma says she is following with deep concern the ongoing development in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the deteriorating political situation in  that country. 

The Chairperson urged various parties in Lesotho to resolve their political differences through peaceful means and within the  framework of the country's Constitution. 

In line with relevant African instruments, she emphasised  the AU's  firm rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and warned that the AU would not tolerate any seizure of
power by illegal means. 

The Chairperson expressed AU's full support to the ongoing efforts of the Southern Africa Development Community to assist the Lesotho stakeholders address the challenges currently facing  their country and preserve democracy and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, The South African government has urged the Lesotho Defence Force to return to their barracks and allow the democratically elected government of the Kingdom to carry on with its constitutional mandate.

It says, the Lesotho Defence Force took over the radio and TV stations, resulting in a total black  out of  broadcasting.  

The army has also taken over several police stations including the Police Headquarters. 

Over the weekend, the Lesotho military raided the house of Prime Minister Tom Thabane and seized the police headquarters and
the Mabote police station in the capital of Maseru in a possible coup attempt. 

The Lesotho military refused to acknowledge that it was a coup, claiming, it took the action after receiving intelligence that
police officers intended to pass arms and ammunitions to Thabane's All Basotho convention called "Under the Tree".

XNHUA