Lesotho Prime Minister Returns Home

Prime Minister Thomas Thaban

Lesotho's prime minister has returned safely to his home in the capital of the mountainous kingdom after military actions brought him to flee to South Africa over the weekend, a police official said Wednesday.

South African police and defense forces escorted Prime Minister Thomas Thabane back to the capital, Maseru, and are staying in the country to ensure his security, said Assistant Police Commissioner Lehloka Maphatsoe. He did not say long they would be present.

"We were informed that he is back home," said Maphatsoe. "They have told the public that he is back home, but the way forward has not yet been publicized."

The military disarmed police stations on Saturday. Radios were also jammed in what the prime minister said was a coup attempt in the country of about 2 million people. The military said they merely acted on information that police would be arming demonstrators in a political protest.

Soldiers atop a military vehicle are driven through the capital Lesotho Tuesday. Sept 2, 2014. Police have been told to abandon their posts and not wear uniforms to avoid being targeted in attacks in the kingdom's continuing power vacuum, an official said Tuesday. At least one policeman was killed when the military disarmed police stations on Saturday. Radios were also jammed in what the prime minister said was a clear coup attempt in the country of about 2 million people. (AP Photo)

Political tensions have been high between Thabane, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing and others within the country's first coalition government since June when the prime minister suspended parliament to dodge a vote of no confidence.

Metsing and the leader of the third party in the coalition also returned to Lesotho, said assistant police commissioner Maphatsoe. While South African police were present, Lesotho's police remained off the streets and out of uniform after being instructed to do so to avoid being targeted in attacks, Maphatsoe said. The Southern African Development Community, the region's 15-nation organization, said it is sending an envoy and an observer team to Lesotho to help restore stability and security in the tiny country encircled by South Africa.

Lesotho's leaders agreed to a roadmap with a "clear timeline" on working toward removing the parliamentary suspension, SADC said. They also agreed to release a joint statement "appealing for calm and exercise restraint with a view to rapidly bring law and order back in the kingdom," according to a statement issued by the regional body.

Lesotho has seen a number of military coups since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.