France has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against travel to Lesotho until further notice following reports of a coup this weekend.
In what is believed to be a coup d’état, the Lesotho Defence Force this weekend took over several police stations including the Police Headquarters and raided the Prime Minister’s residence. The Lesotho Defence Force has also taken over the radio and TV stations in the country, resulting in a total black out in broadcast. The upheaval has resulted in Lesotho’s Prime Minister Tom Thabane fleeing the country to South Africa.
Although France issued a travel advisory, other countries have been more conservative in their approach.
Australia updated its travel advice to Lesotho saying there have been reports of an attempted coup against the government on 30 August. The advisory reads: “There is a military presence in Maseru including at some police stations but the situation is calm. You should follow the instructions of local authorities.”
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not warned its citizens against travel to Lesotho, but merely advised travellers to avoid large gatherings, which could potentially become violent at any time.
