Southern African Development Community (SADC) has urged South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to consult widely with warring parties to forge long term political stability in the Kingdom of   Lesotho ahead of elections in June.

This extraordinary SADC conference – held in Swaziland at the weekend – said a national dialogue was the only option that could help map a way forward to restore peace and quell simmering tensions in Lesotho.

King Mswati III – chairperson of the regional block – told heads of states that the different organs should engage with SADC’s peace and security initiative that was set up to deal, once and for all, with fundamental challenges that bedevilled Lesotho.