Question NW3995 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

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18 December 2017 - NW3995

Profile picture: Mokgalapa, Mr S

Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

(1)What are the terms of reference of the Oversight Committee of the Southern African (2) whether the Oversight Committee has achieved its mandate to date; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) what are the terms of reference of the establishment of the multidimensional SADC standby force in Lesotho and (b) on what date is its mandate ending; (4) has the contingent mission achieved its mandate in Lesotho; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4541E

Reply:

1. The Oversight Committee of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the Kingdom of Lesotho Committee is appointed to:

a) Act as an overall monitoring body and early warning mechanism in the event of signs of instability.

b) Follow up and support the implementation of the recommendations of the SADC Facilitator’s Report, in particular constitutional and security reforms.

c) Follow up on the implementation of SADC decisions and the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

d) Liaise and work closely with the Government of Lesotho and all relevant stakeholders.

e) Examine any other matters relevant to the SADC decisions on the Political and Security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

f) Propose appropriate intervention measures in consultation with the SADC Facilitator.

g) The Oversight Committee shall compile and submit, to the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, monthly reports of its activities.

h) The Oversight Committee shall compile and submit, to the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, a final report eight (8) days after the completion of its assignment.

REPLY:

2. Yes. The Oversight Committee has achieved its mandate.

The Oversight Committee has been on the ground in the Kingdom of Lesotho, serving as adeterrent, since 3 June 2015, after the Double Troika Summit held in Pretoria, South Africa, approved its establishmentto act as an overall monitoring body and early warning mechanism in the event of signs of instability, and intervene as appropriate in consultation with the SADC Facilitator. The Oversight Committee continuously files reports to the SADC Facilitator on developments in the country and has engaged relevant stakeholders in the Kingdom of Lesotho for the implementation of SADC decisions and its presence has proven useful to stabilise the Kingdom.

REPLY:

3 (a) The terms of reference, as approved by the Double Troika Summit of 15 September 2017, of the Contingent Mission are as follows:

  1. to strengthen peace and security, implement Security Sector Reforms, and implement the recommendations of the SADC Commission of Enquiry;
  2. monitor and ensure that the rule of law is complied with in the process of implementing the recommendations of the SADC Commission of Enquiry;
  3. identify immediate areas of priority that are to be implemented urgently, including the specific amendments in the Constitution, and amendments of the LDF and LMPS Acts with a view to ensuring separation of powers between the Army and Police;
  4. to support the Kingdom of Lesotho in undertaking re-training of its personnel especially in the area of Civil Military Relations (CIMIC);
  5. to monitor and assist where necessary in the investigation of the assassinations of Lt. Gen Motšomotšo and other alleged killings in Lesotho; and
  6. lend assistance in the implementation of Constitutional, Public and Security Sector reforms and monitor the implementation of SADC Decisions;

(b) The Preventative Mission was officially launched on 2 December 2017 and the deployment would be for a period of 6 months.

REPLY:

4. The Contingent Mission was only officially launched on 02 December 2017 for a period of 6 months and thus an evaluation of its mandate can only be done after 6 months.

UNQUOTE

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