Maseru — The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) says it is sending a rapid-response team to investigate the assassination of Lesotho’s army commander, a killing it criticised as being "barbaric" and a blow to peace efforts. Sadc has been trying to foster peace in Lesotho, but the death threatens to revive unrest in the country. Army commander Khoantle Motsomotso was shot dead at a barracks on Tuesday when two senior officers — widely seen as from a rival faction — tried to force their way into his office. The two officers were killed by Motsomotso’s bodyguards. The bloody shootout took place just two months after elections meant to usher in a new era of stability. "Sadc strongly condemns this indescribable and inexcusable barbaric and heinous act," the group said in a statement on Wednesday. "This development is a serious blight and setback to the ongoing efforts to restore peace, security and stability to the Kingdom of Lesotho." The SADC team, due to arrive in Lesotho o...

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