–affirmation a welcome relief after American aid cuts
Seithati Mot?oeneng
The European Union (EU) mission in Lesotho has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s development and stability.
The pledge came as the EU celebrated Europe Day on Friday. The EU celebrates Europe Day every 9 May.
Europe Day is a day celebrating “peace and unity in Europe. It is celebrated on 5 May by the Council of Europe and on 9 May by the European Union.
The Europe Day commemoration marks the historic Schuman Declaration of 1950, which set Europe on a path of peace, prosperity, and political cooperation in the aftermath of World War II.
From the initial six founding members, the EU has grown to encompass 27 countries working together for the betterment of their citizens.
For nearly five decades, the EU has been a vital partner to Lesotho, providing humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and diplomatic engagement through initiatives like the recently signed Samoa Agreement.
This pact expands the EU’s partnership across 79 African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations, underscoring its dedication to fostering sustainable progress, trade, and political dialogue in Lesotho and beyond.
As the sole representative of the European Union in the country, the EU Delegation in Maseru continues to implement projects funded by contributions from all 27 member states, cementing the longstanding partnership between the EU and the mountain kingdom.
The head of the EU Delegation in Lesotho, Paula Amadei, said various activities would be held across EU-funded projects in Lesotho to mark Europe Month. The EU has vigorously assisted Lesotho across a number of sectors, such as energy, water and sanitation, youth empowerment, social protection, and governance.
“This month, we want to honour the efforts to support Lesotho in pursuing Sustainable Development Goals, with a number of activities organized on the numerous EU-funded projects,” Ms Amadei said.
She added that delegates would visit regions including Maseru, Leribe, Mohale’s Hoek, and Mokhotlong to witness first hand the impact of these initiatives.
A key event, according to Ms Amadei, is the upcoming Lesotho-EU Partnership Dialogue in Maseru, bringing together EU ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives from the European Investment Bank to review mutual relations and plan future collaborations.
The month-long celebrations aim to showcase the tangible benefits of the EU’s partnership on the ground, from improving livelihoods to supporting national reforms.
“Europe Day is an opportunity to reflect on decades of partnership and to look forward to continued cooperation that benefits the people of Lesotho,” Ms Amadei said.
As Lesotho and its international partners celebrate the enduring relationship, the message is clear: the EU remains committed to supporting Lesotho’s journey toward sustainable development and stability, fostering a future of shared prosperity.
Ms Amadei emphasized the EU’s steadfast commitment to peace, partnership, and cooperation – both within its borders and worldwide.
She said that as the world becomes increasingly fragmented and unpredictable, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions “underscore the fragile nature of global peace and security”.
“The EU stands firm on the universal values we have built together since 1945,” she said, “and we remain dedicated to strengthening the role of global institutions and upholding a rules-based international order, not the law of the strongest.”
Ms Amadei said the EU is adapting to new political realities while continuing to engage with countries around the world, working on solutions and building partnerships.
“International cooperation has turned into global competition,” she acknowledged, “but the European Union is committed to promoting open dialogue, shared stability and prosperity, and the preservation of universal values.”
Despite the challenges, Ms Amadei emphasized the EU’s motto of “unity in diversity” as the guiding philosophy of its work with partners worldwide.
“Even in the face of the greatest obstacles, the European Union stands for these principles, investing in the preservation and enhancement of peace and security globally,” she said.
The EU’s reiteration of its assistance for Lesotho is a welcome relief after another of Lesotho’s development partners, the United States, cancelled aid to the country and imposed steep tariffs likely to ruin Lesotho’s already embattled textiles sector.
Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025, has upended the global order as it has existed for decades and is intent on asserting America’s dominance using crude methods.
With the US no longer a reliable partner and Lesotho now listed among countries in which the Trump administration wants to close its embassies, the EU’s commitment to remaining a dependable partner could not have come at a better time for Lesotho.
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