Gvt ramps up campaign for Setipa 

Letsatsi Selikoe 

The government says it is making inroads in the campaign to win the secretary generalship of the Commonwealth group of nations for Lesotho’s candidate Joshua Setipa. 

Elections for the much coveted post are scheduled for 21-27 October 2023 in Samoa. 

Lesotho’s focus during the first four months of 2024 ?was on engaging with London-based diplomatic missions of Commonwealth countries. The government says it had got ?positive feedback from 47 High Commissions. 

Bilateral engagements were also undertaken with Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Bahamas, Malta, Pakistan, and the UK during that period. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpojoane, has led campaign missions to Cyprus, Canada, Bahamas, Namibia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. 

Following the 11 March 2024 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting, a written statement of endorsement was issued, further bolstering Mr Setipa’s candidacy. 

According to a latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations report, His Majesty King Letsie III’s younger brother, Matsieng Principal Chief Seeiso Seeiso, will embark on a campaign mission to Eswatini, Botswana, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives from June to July to try and solidify support for Mr Setipa. ? 

Also roped in to sell Mr Setipa, is seasoned politician and former foreign affairs minister, Mohlabi Tsekoa, who will visit Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mauritius, and Seychelles during the same period. 

Another former foreign affairs minister ?‘Matsepo Ramakoae, has been entrusted to tour the Caribbean states of Jamaica, Barbados, and St Lucia on a similar mission. 

Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane will also embark on campaign visits to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria, to woo votes for Mr Setipa. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations says the campaign drive?has thus far yielded positive feedback from the engaged countries. 

The next campaign event is a debate scheduled for September 11 at Chatham House in London.??The debate will feature all candidates vying for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth, including Mr Setipa. 

The government says it has used the campaign process for Mr Setipa to engage with other countries on other important bilateral issues. 

For instance, it says notable discussions were held with senior officials in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, on key areas such as renewable energy, mining, institutional capacity building, and training opportunities for Basotho citizens. 

Those discussions, the ministry said, had laid the foundation for extensive and structured bilateral cooperation frameworks for Lesotho.