Lesotho's army commander has appealed to neighbouring states for military assistance against his renegade predecessor. Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao says he has asked the relevant body SADC, to consider sending help. Lieutenant Gneral Tlali Kamoli, who was removed from his post as army chief by Prime Minister Tom Thabane a little over a week ago, has refused to step down. Mahao says his forces would have difficulties in taking on Kamoli, who has apparently seized an army base, and a cache of weapons, including artillery, and has many Lesotho troops following him.
a recent survey says amid political upheaval, Basotho support democratic processes, reject military rule; and that their trust in political institutions remains low. Sakina Kamwendo chats to Afrobarometer Communications Coordinator for Southern Africa Sibusiso Nkomo
