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He said the embargoes were undermining the country’s sovereignty.

Addressing regional leaders and hundreds of delegates after the opening of the 32nd Ordinary Sadc summit here yesterday, Mr Thabane said progress recorded in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement justified the need to lift the embargoes.

He said Sadc should not brook any external interference in Zimbabwe’s domestic affairs, adding that the recent partial lifting of sanctions by the European Union was inconsequential.

“The progress that is being recorded in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe is not insignificant.

“We wish that sisterly country success in the full implementation of the agreement.

“Our region has consistently stood together to reject externally imposed solutions that seek to undermine the hard-earned political and economic independence of Zimbabwe.

“Despite the limited relaxation of sanctions by countries of the European Union, we must continue to call for the lifting of all sanctions against Zimbabwe.”

In his salutation before delivering his speech, Mr Thabane referred to the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe, as “our father” to applause from the summit delegates.

Mr Thabane, who became Lesotho’s Prime Minister on 12 June, succeeding the long serving Pakalitha Mosisili, also urged the regional bloc to urgently act to resolve the political crisis in Madagascar and the military conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo where government forces are battling insurgents.

The new Lesotho PM was among three new regional leaders invited to make their maiden addresses to the Sadc leaders together with Zambian President Mr Michael Sata and Malawian President Joyce Banda.

The three took office after the last ordinary Sadc summit, with President Sata assuming the presidency on 23 September last year while Mrs Banda was sworn in on 7 April this year following the death of Professor Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mr Sata stressed the need for regional peace, stability and security saying these were necessary ingredients for sustainable economic development.

He said conflicts affected trade among member countries, adding that there was need to pursue peaceful dialogue in the remaining conflict areas

“There is a need for concerted efforts to ensure that the early warning systems in place are strengthened and supported to minimise conflicts.

“Through these mechanisms, stable and secure environments at national, regional and eventually continental levels will be guaranteed,” said Mr Sata.

Mrs Banda called for closer regional cooperation and thanked Sadc member states for supporting Malawi following the death of Prof wa Mutharika, for whom a minute of silence was observed at the start of the summit. She said the region was enjoying peace, except for a few pockets of political instability, adding that sustainable economic development could not be achieved without tranquility.

“We believe that stability provides a conducive environment to attracting foreign direct investment that also creates business and employment opportunities.”

Newly elected African Union Commission chair Mrs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and African Development Bank president Dr Donald Kaberuka also addressed the summit.

Mrs Dlamini-Zuma, the first woman and southern African candidate to land the position, urged Africa to unite in confronting burning issues such as food and water security, climate change, pandemics and the empowerment of youths and women.