Mohloai Mpesi
THE European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the slow pace of national reforms in Lesotho as the country prepares for general elections expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
The EU has deployed an Election Follow-up Mission (EU EFM) to Lesotho to assess progress in implementing the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) following the 2022 National Assembly elections. The mission is led by Andreas Schieder,?a member of the European Parliament. He was accompanied by the EU’s electoral expert Armin Rabitsch and legal expert Renata Tardioli.
The mission met with a wide range of Basotho stakeholders, including representatives of the government, National Assembly, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), judiciary, Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), civil society, media, and development partners. A stakeholder roundtable convened by the mission on 21 November 2025 provided a forum to review the status of reforms, identify remaining challenges, and discuss next steps toward strengthening democratic institutions ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The 2022 EU EOM issued 21 recommendations covering the legal framework, electoral administration, voter registration, media freedom, political finance, and dispute resolution. Among these, seven priority recommendations were highlighted, including measures to guarantee the independence and financial autonomy of the IEC, regulate campaign finance, prevent abuse of state resources, strengthen media capacity and independence, and improve voter registration and civic education.
In his remarks, Mr Schieder underlined the importance of sustained political commitment to reform:
“Three years after the 2022 elections, it remains a critical window to advance constitutional and legal reforms that can reinforce Lesotho’s democratic foundations prior to the next elections. Implementing the EU EOM’s recommendations is not only about improving the conduct of elections, but also about building public trust in institutions, transparency, and accountability.”
Although the EU EFM Head of Delegation, Andreas Schieder, commended strides made with the passage of the 10th Constitutional Amendment, 2025, despite it being challenged in court, he said reforms were progressing slowly.
“We welcome the passage of the 10th Constitutional Amendment, an achievement recognised across the region, including by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“It includes important steps, such as establishing independent bodies like the Human Rights Commission and the Media Ombudsperson, as well as affirmative action for marginalized groups. However, the pace of reform remains slow and needs to proceed steadily.”
The Tenth Amendment was gazetted and published on 13 August 2025, leading to Lesotho being removed from the?SADC Organ Troika‘s list of countries under special observation for instability during the 45th SADC Summit on 18 August 2025.
However, activist Kanalelo Boloetse and the Law Society of Lesotho have petitioned the Constitutional Court to scrap the Tenth Amendment, arguing that it was passed without adhering to mandatory constitutional procedures. These include securing a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly or holding a national referendum for certain entrenched clauses.
Mr Schieder emphasized that the reform process must be continuous, effective, and sustainable.
“Lesotho has embraced a reform path, but democracy is a process that requires ongoing effort. The Tenth Constitutional Amendment has been challenged in the High Court, and several institutions responsible for implementing reforms, including the IEC, are still awaiting necessary legislation. Nevertheless, there is still time and opportunity for decisive progress before the next elections.
“We encourage all political and electoral actors to resolve differences through constitutional procedures and constructive dialogue, which will lead to sustainable electoral reform. Lesotho has experienced past instability, and all leaders have a responsibility to ensure the country moves forward, not backward.
“Implementation of the recommendations requires political will, technical capacity, and cooperation across institutions. Three years after the 2022 elections, it remains a critical window to advance constitutional and legal reforms that can reinforce Lesotho’s democratic foundations. Implementing the European Union’s recommendations is not only about improving the conduct of elections but also about building public trust in institutions, transparency, and accountability.”
When asked whether the recommendations are binding, Mr Schieder clarified that they are not.
“These recommendations are designed to strengthen democracy in Lesotho; they are guidance, not orders. Democracy is never perfect—even the Greeks, the inventors of democracy, did not achieve perfection. Elections alone do not define democracy; it is a continuous process of protecting rights, resolving conflicts, and improving governance.
“Our experts, together with civil society and political actors in Lesotho, identified necessary steps for reform. Adoption is up to Lesotho’s institutions and the way they implement them is entirely their choice. It is not binding,” he said.
He added that all stakeholders—government, civil society, parliamentarians, and the media—generally supported the 21 recommendations and expressed willingness to implement them.
“What happens if they are not implemented? It is not about pleasing us; it is about improving the quality of democracy.”