LDF Brigadier General Appointed Chief of Staff in the SADC Planning Element
Maseru, Lesotho
The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) proudly announces the appointment of Brigadier General Chere Daniel Makhetha as Principal Military Advisor to the Director of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat based on issues of Organ, Politics, Defence and Security.
This prestigious appointment marks a defining moment not only in the career of Brigadier General Makhetha, but also in the strategic presence and influence of the Kingdom of Lesotho within the region. It affirms growing commitment of Lesotho to peace, security, and collective defence under the framework of SADC regional cooperation.
‘Brigadier General Makhetha brings experience, academic rigour, and visionary leadership to the SADC Planning Element at a time when the region seeks to strengthen its collective security mechanisms and operational readiness’, said the Commander of LDF, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela.
A Strategic Appointment with Regional Impact
Appointment of Brigadier General Makhetha is not merely ceremonial; it is strategic. As Chief of Staff, he will serve as the principal military advisor to the Head of the SADC Planning Element and provide direct coordination between the military structures of the region and political organs of SADC. He assumes responsibility for operational planning, deployment readiness of the SADC Standby Force, and harmonisation of defence planning across Member States.
This role is critical in ensuring that the SADC region remains ready and able to respond rapidly and consistently to crises, including peace enforcement, conflict prevention, and disaster response missions. Through his leadership, the Planning Element will focus on aligning regional military preparedness with global best practices, promoting interoperability, and strengthening civilian-military coordination for peace support operations.
Benefits to Lesotho and the LDF
Appointment of Brigadier General Makhetha directly enhances national defence posture of Lesotho in the following ways:
Increased Strategic Visibility. Leadership of Lesotho at the heart of security apparatus of SADC raises the profile of the country as a credible contributor to regional peace and security.
Operational Integration. This position opens up greater opportunities for LDF to contribute to regional missions, participate in multinational exercises, and gain access to advanced operational planning and training platforms.
Defence Diplomacy. The role of the Chief of Staff enhances the voice of Lesotho in shaping strategic regional decisions, reinforcing the interests of the country in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and defence transformation.
Capacity Development. Leadership of Brigadier General Makhetha is expected to foster exchange of expertise, create new training pipelines for LDF officers, and expand institutional learning through direct engagement with the best minds of the region in military planning and coordination.
A Continental Perspective
Academic and professional profile of Brigadier General Makhetha is well suited for this appointment. With research interests in peace and defence economics, strategic planning, and regional defence integration, he represents a new generation of African military leaders who understand the critical intersection between security, development, and governance.
His tenure is anticipated to strengthen regional unity and support the renewal of the African Standby Force under the African Union Peace and Security Architecture. Through his stewardship, SADC will be better placed to contribute meaningfully to continental peacekeeping mandates, particularly in fragile zones where effective joint planning and rapid deployment are critical.
A Call to Stakeholders
LDF calls on all stakeholders; across government, civil society, academia, and the regional security community; to support Brigadier General Makhetha in this demanding and high-impact role. His success will reflect not only personal achievement, but national commitment and regional solidarity.
As he embarks on this mandate, Lesotho takes pride in offering leadership that is not only professional and disciplined but also regionally transformative.
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