Military Action Leaves Lesotho In Power Vacuum

PM Thomas Thabane feared for his life

The king of Lesotho is taking action to fill a power vacuum after the military's actions over the weekend caused the prime minister to flee the mountainous African country.

King Letsie III is appointing a Cabinet minister to run the country as both the prime minister and deputy prime minister are in neighboring South Africa, Foreign Affairs Minister Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa said Monday. It was not immediately clear who would be named to run the nation of about 2 million that is completely surrounded by South Africa, AP reports.

The military say they disarmed police in the capital, Maseru, on Saturday. Prime Minister Thomas Thabane called the actions a coup attempt but Lesotho Defense Forces say they only stepped in after getting information that police were planning to supply arms to participants in a demonstration.

In this Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014 photo, army personnel man outside the military headquarters in Maseru, Lesotho. Lesotho's prime minister fled to South Africa in fear for his safety and will now meet with leaders of the region there to seek peace, he said Sunday. Prime Minister Thomas Thabane said there had been an attempt to take over Lesotho, a country of about 2 million people that is surrounded by South Africa. Lesotho's Defense Forces deny any attempt at a coup although they say the military exchanged gunfire and disarmed two police stations in Lesotho's capital, Maseru, on Saturday. (AP Photo)

Thabane said he fled to South Africa in fear for his life and to consult with regional leaders there. Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing was put in charge, according to provisions in the constitution, but he is now in South Africa to attend the talks.

"In our constitution, the recent prime minister, if he's outside or indisposed, the deputy prime minister automatically takes over. In the event that both are outside of the country, in accordance with the constitution, the king appoints a minister to take over," said Tsekoa, the foreign minister. "Our leaders are in the middle of talking and defining the way forward."

President Jacob Zuma is meeting on Monday with Thabane and Metsing, according to the Nelson Kgwete a spokesman for South Africa's Department of International Relations.