MASERU: Lesotho’s army commander was shot dead by rival officers at a military barracks on Tuesday in an assassination likely to revive instability in the mountainous African kingdom.

The two senior officers behind the attack were also killed in the gunfight with Khoantle Motsomotso’s bodyguards, just two months after elections meant to usher in a new era of peace.

“They attempted to forcefully enter his office. There was a shoot-out between the two... and the commander’s bodyguards,” a military official who declined to be named said.

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane confirmed the deaths at a press conference, describing them as “a serious setback to vigorous efforts to restore peace and stability.”

Thabane’s new coalition government took office in June after the third general election since 2012 as Lesotho endures a series of political upheavals.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2017