Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 16 May 2016: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has expressed deep concern over the breakdown in rule of law in the Kingdom of Lesotho, as demonstrated by the recent attack on Professor Mafa Sejanamane, senior academic and former Acting Vice Chancellor at the National University of Lesotho.

The Chairperson learnt with shock and dismay the gunshot attack at the homestead of Professor Mafa Sejanamane during the early hours of Friday, 6 May 2016. Although the Professor and his family came out unharmed, the Chairperson is concerned about the deteriorating state of human rights, rule of law and constitutionalism in the Kingdom of Lesotho with adverse effects on democracy, peace and stability.

The Chairperson calls on the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to thoroughly investigate this unfortunate incident and bring all the perpetrators of this attack to book.

The Chairperson supports the concerted efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in its bid to address the on-going political crisis in Lesotho. Following the SADC-sponsored Commission of Inquiry led by Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi of Botswana, there was a ray of hope that Lesotho would restore constitutionalism and rule of law. The Chairperson strongly urges the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho to urgently implement the recommendations of the Phumaphi report with a view to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Lesotho. The African Union remains seized with the developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.