At the end of October, the Lesotho Court of Appeal gave judgment in an important case relating to efforts by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to bring peace to Lesotho. The extent to which SADC is able to act following the judgment may have lasting implications for Lesotho and SADC’s own reputation in defending “democracy, peace, security and stability”, as framed in its establishing treaty. By ANNABEL RAW.