From Mail & Guardian

Opposition parliamentarians celebrated with song and dance on the floor of the legislature as the chamber sat for the first time in four months.

Prime Minister Tom Thabane had suspended the body in June fearing a vote of no-confidence that could have booted him from power.

The re-opening of Parliament is a key first step in a peace deal following an August 30 coup attempt and will lead to early elections in February 2015.

The king, who is constitutionally restricted to a ceremonial role, thanked the international community – and particularly the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) – for helping to defuse the crisis.

“On behalf of the Basotho nation, I would like to express … our deep-rooted gratitude for expeditiously coming to our assistance at this critical moment in our political journey,” King Letsie told the 120-member chamber, as the SADC mediator, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, looked on.

As the king filed out, followed by Thabane, his feisty opponents, led by former prime minister Pakalitha Mosisili, then filled the floor, singing and swaying.

Written by Michael J Jordan/Read more at Mail & Guardian