Embattled Lesotho PM confirms resignation at end of July

Without giving a specific date, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane of Lesothoon Thursday restated his intention to retire by the end of July. The prime minister, 80, whose term is due to end in 2022, said that he is lacking the energy required for the role and said he would resign due to old age.

"Let me announce today that an important step towards my retirement has been taken with the enactment of the 9th Amendment to the Constitution. As a result, the government and the political party I lead will coordinate the process of my retirement," Thabane said in an address to the nation.

"I have always been consistent that it is my wish to retire from office by the 31st of July, 2020, or earlier, once all the necessary conditions for my retirement are put in place," Thabane added.

The development comes after All Basotho Convention or ABC, the governing party, rejected his request for immunity from prosecution in a murder case after his retirement.

Thabane is fighting prosecution in a case where Maesaiah Thabane, his current wife, is accused of the murder of Lipolelo Thabane, his former wife. The death of Thabane's former wife occurred while they were undergoing a bitter divorce.

In January, the prime minister was taken in for questioning after police linked a call made at the crime scene to his mobile number. He has not been charged.

"I have arrived at the decision to resign with a view to ensuring the continued stability of Lesotho and guaranteeing that our country is on a good course to reconciliation, unity and economic recovery from COVID-19," Thabane said.