afrol News, 22 April - UPDATE: The government of Lesotho has still not issued an official statement on the attacks at state house and other security sensitive areas in the country. At least four people who allegedly launched the attacks have been killed and one arrested, while the search for the remaining members of the group continues.

The deceased include one member of the Lesotho army, though reports did not clarify if he was part of the group or one of those reported to have been abducted by the attackers. The other three are said to be foreigners believed to be from Mozambique and South Africa.

Ealier in the day there were reports of of a fierce gun battle between the joint forces of South African police, the Lesotho army and police along the Caledon river which marks the boder between Lesotho and the Freestate province of South Africa.

Two members of the alleged group under pursuit, were reported to have send back heavy gun fighting against the forces. There were still no reports of their apprehension by very late afternoon.

The Maseru city has however remained calm throughout the day despite the early morning heavy gun sounds in the eastern outskirts of the city.

Some political observers have said the attacks looks like a repeat of last year's incidences whereby residences of ministers were attacked and firearms were taken from guarding soldiers. A number of soldiers were also abducted then, were a few injuries also recorded.

Observers have said the repeat brings a lot of suspicions on internal counflicts within the army and possible political inteference either from the ruling elite or the opposition players.

Lesotho is not new to this kind of skirmishes since the 1986 military coup, which was followed by numerous other political and military instability with the 1998 reaching the boiling point of the political tensions in the country that left most of the city looted and burned down to ashes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more