Lesotho has been officially removed from the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) security watchlist following years of political instability and reforms. The announcement came at the 45th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where leaders praised the country’s enactment of the 10th Constitutional Amendment as a milestone.

SADC had been closely involved in Lesotho’s affairs since 2014, mediating political disputes, supporting reforms, and facilitating national dialogue to restore democratic governance. With stability restored, the kingdom has now been taken off the agenda of the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the bloc’s peace and security body.

The summit, themed “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” also saw Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina elected as SADC chair, with South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy. Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera will now chair the Organ Troika, succeeding Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to stabilising eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reappointed Elias Magosi as Executive Secretary, and pledged to accelerate regional integration through infrastructure, agriculture, and gender equity initiatives.