Caswell Tlali
MASERU — Former Malawian president Bakili Muluzi says Lesotho should not use legal procedures to frustrate the transition process to the formation of a new government.
Muluzi, the Commonwealth observer group head, told a press conference on Friday before his departure from Lesotho that the transition process should be done in a fair and impartial manner.
He said one of the critical elements of the transition towards the formation of the new government is the selection of the speaker of parliament by the MPs.
“Politicians should be allowed to nominate a speaker through a fair and impartial process,” Muluzi said.
He promised to tell the Commonwealth secretariat to continue monitoring the situation in Lesotho during the transition period.
Lesotho is expected to form a new government within 14 days from the Election Day, May 26.
Muluzi’s remarks came two days after the Democratic Congress (DC) deputy leader Monyane Moleleki told a press conference that Lesotho’s constitution allowed a minority government.
Moleleki was answering questions on the formation of a tripartite coalition of parties that seek to replace DC from the ruling party status when he mentioned that Lesotho could have a chance to form a minority government.
Muluzi said true democracy means inclusive government.
“We chose democracy and democracy means we must be inclusive,” he said.
“A government without other interested people is what we should avoid at all costs. This time the people have made a choice and therefore give them a chance.”
The DC’s forming a minority government would mean that Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili would be in office for the fourth time, becoming Lesotho’s longest sitting premier in the era of democracy.
Earlier in the week the Electoral Institute of Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) head of mission, former Zambian president Rupiah Banda, told a press conference that life after state house is free and enjoyable.
Banda encouraged other African presidents and prime ministers to relinquish power if defeated in elections.
“There is life after the state house, I tell them,” Banda said.