ABC, LCD and BNP leadership meets tomorrow in last-ditch effort to save coalition government
Billy Ntaote
The All Basotho Convention (ABC), Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and Basotho National Party (BNP) leaders meet tomorrow in Maseru for crisis talks aimed at saving the coalition government.
Relations between the three parties — which formed government after the 26 May 2012 general election failed to produce a single party with a majority winner — have continued to deteriorate over recent weeks and reached breaking point last week after the LCD accused ABC leader and Prime Minister, Thomas Thabane, of making “unilateral governance decisions”.
The LCD also announced last week that the party had asked the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) to mediate in the dispute “as a last-ditch effort to save the coalition government”.
However, the LCD spokesperson, Selibe Mochoboroane, yesterday told the Sunday Express that the ABC had invited the National Executive Committees (NECs) of the three parties to a meeting aimed at resolving the dispute.
Mr Mochoboroane, who is also the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, told the Sunday Express: “We wanted the Christian Council of Lesotho to mediate over our problems but instead, the ABC wrote to us seeking a meeting for all the leaders of the three parties in government.
“It came as a brief letter asking that we meet as government and party leaders first, and we are going to have the meeting on Monday.”
Mr Mochoboroane added the meeting would be attended by the top five leaders from each of the three parties.
“We are expecting that the leaders, deputy leaders, secretary generals, treasurers and chairpersons of the three parties would attend the meeting. Hopefully, we can be able to resolve our differences at the meeting.”
Attempts to get a comment from the ABC secretary general, Samonyane Ntsekele were fruitless yesterday, as he was said to be engaged in a series of meetings.
However, a member of the party’s Youth League confirmed Monday’s meeting.
PM’s alleged wrongdoings as claimed by the LCD at last week’s press conference
- Transfer of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to the Office of the Prime Minister without consultations with his deputy or His Majesty’s cabinet.
- Firing Finance Principal Secretary, Mosito Khethisa, two months ago without any consultations with the relevant ministry, and with flagrant disregard of the Coalition Agreement.
This was done without any courtesy or consultation with the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), who was acting Prime Minister (PM) at the time. (The DPM is LCD leader Mothetjoa Metsing).
- Removal of Government Secretary, Motlatsi Ramafole, last month without consultation with the DPM, who was then acting PM. Cabinet heard about this removal through the media.
- The attempt to prorogue parliament (last month) was done without consultation of other coalition partners.
This was another serious violation of non-consultation which also sprung surprise on partners on an issue which would have very serious repercussions on national security and stability of the government.
- The Attorney General (AG) and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have been given letters for them to show cause why they cannot vacate office. It is a matter of grave concern that an issue of such national constitutional nature can be treated with such contempt.
No cabinet or coalition partners were consulted.
- The DPM summoned the Commissioner of Police, Khothatso Tšooana, two weeks ago and other Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) officers to his office. The summon was not honoured and on inquiry, the Commissioner requested the DPM to go through his superior (PM Thabane, who is also Minister of Defence, Police and National Security), when he wants to see them.
This was one of the most serious acts of insubordination by a Law-enforcement Office to an Office of the DPM.
Ntate Metsing, as DPM and Chairman of the Finance Committee, wanted to try and resolve police officers’ grievances over the salaries.