…Let us put the interests of the people before our own, says His Majesty
Bongiwe Zihlangu
HIS Majesty King Letsie III has expressed grave concern over Lesotho’s prevailing political turmoil and urged political leaders not to be selfish to “attain lasting peace and stability for the country”.
Addressing the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 8th Parliament with a Speech from the Throne on Friday, the King made the clarion call to a legislature filled to the brim with Members of Parliament (MPs), Senators, government officials, as well as South African dignitaries, among them Deputy President and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitator Cyril Ramaphosa, that he had, over the years, realised Lesotho’s political troubles were a result of “selfish leaders who put their own interests before those of the nation”.
“Even now as we speak, it is clear that the problem lies with Lesotho’s political leadership and not my people,” said His Majesty, who was flanked by Mr Ramaphosa and the Queen, on his right and left, respectively.
“Let us put the interests of the people before our own, and instill, in our supporters, the spirit of unity, regardless of our political differences because we are one people.”
The King added that since 1970, every election in Lesotho, with the exception of the 2012 poll, had resulted in conflict and deep-seated differences between political leaders, berating them for “refusing to engage one another in dialogue”.
“This is caused by selfishness and the refusal to engage in dialogue where there are differences that impact negatively on pillars of democracy,” King Letsie III said.
Furthermore, the King noted, these political differences, when not managed by political leaders “tend to spread to our security agencies”.
“These differences also tend to affect the agencies of security such as the police and the military,” the King said.
“I therefore urge that where there are differences, you must sit down and talk, as our efforts to improve democracy begin with having committed leaders in all sectors of society.”
He added: “We need leaders who are selfless, put the public’s interests first and are patriotic; our history proves we need progressive leadership in all sectors.”
The King also said he was appealing to the leaders so that when they are going about their business in parliament “it’s with the aim of improving the lives of Basotho”.
Leaders of Lesotho’s coalition government comprising Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s All Basotho Convention (ABC), Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing’s Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and Sports Minister Thesele ‘Maseribane’s Basotho National Party (BNP), fell-out in June this year with the LCD announcing it had decided to enter into a new coalition agreement with the main opposition Democratic Congress (DC), when Thabane instituted the prorogation of parliament, which he had planned to open in February 2015.
Then on 30 August, the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) attacked major police stations in the capital Maseru, in what military spokesperson Major Ntlele Ntoi later said was an operation to seize weapons, which were allegedly going to be given to elements of the ABC to attack people who would have been attending a protest March of the LCD on 1 September.
But Dr Thabane and Chief ‘Maseribane, having fled the country for South Africa on the night of the military raid, later took turns to attack Mr Metsing, alleging the attack on the police stations, was a coup d’état which the LCD leader had engineered.
Since then, SADC had been facilitating talks between the warring factions, culminating in the Maseru Facilitation Declaration, whereby leaders across the political spectrum committed to opening parliament solely “for the allocation of a budget for elections slated for February 2013 and preparations for the poll”.
In his address, the King further reminded political leaders that post the 1998 political riots which brought Lesotho to the brink, he had told them that the country could resolve its political woes “without external intervention”.
“I said, at the time, that the onus was on us to put our house in order, instead of expecting others to do it for us,” Hi Majesty said.
“What is stopping us from resolving our political problems before our country is plunged into confusion and instability?”
According to His Majesty, the current political situation required political leaders to stop for a while and reflect on the journey travelled since 1966 when Lesotho gained independence from Britain and ask “what was our aim when we fought for independence?”
“We are only a few years away from our 50th anniversary as an independent country. We need to ask ourselves what it is that we aimed for when we fought for our independence. This commitment should mean that national interests come before any individual’s.”
The King further said 4 October, which is Lesotho’s Independence Day, should be a day of introspection and establishing if the country has built pillars of democracy such as living peacefully and in unity, legislation that is for the good of all, as well as economic transformation.
“We abide by a constitution in which these pillars are enshrined and where they are used without favour and bias; they instill people’s confidence in government,” the King said.
“But are these pillars still being utilised?”
His Majesty further cautioned that it was every Mosotho’s obligation, regardless of status and social standing “to abide by the constitution”.
“It is the source of all the country’s laws and we should all submit ourselves under the constitution, regardless of status, otherwise the attainment of democracy will have been in vain.”
On the Maseru Facilitation Declaration, the King said gratitude should be conveyed to Mr Ramaphosa, for working tirelessly to bridge differences between Lesotho’s political groupings and organisations “which were at loggerheads”.
“On behalf of us all, I would like to direct our compliments and respects to the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, who is with us today,” the King said.
“We are deeply indebted to you for your efforts in smoothing the way for peaceful engagement of all parties and stakeholders.”
The King again implored MPs and all leaders to “religiously observe, without fail, the conclusions and benchmarks clearly enunciated in the agreement”.
“I sincerely hope that we will all have the presence of mind to abide by this agreement, as failure to do so is likely to derail all efforts towards attaining peace and stability in our country.
“This agreement, even with its flaws and shortcomings, should be regarded by all of us as a genuine opportunity, which enables us to start the process of creating a stronger and more democratic political framework for our nation’s future. Let’s not waste it!”
Notably, immediately after the King had delivered his speech and left the chambers, DC and LCD MPs broke into dance and started singing songs berating Premier Thabane for proroguing parliament.
In one of the songs, the MPs asked: “Thabane what were you doing to a swarm of bees?” while another song was more of a prayer; “Our cries have finally reached heaven”.
LCD heavyweights who joined in the song were Water Affairs Minister Tšeliso Mokhosi, dismissed Communications Minister Selibe Mochoboroane, Local Government Deputy Minister Apesi Ratšele and Education Deputy Minister Liteboho Kompi, while DC leader Pakalitha Mosisili and his deputy, who is also official leader of the opposition in parliament, Monyane Moleleki, looked on seemingly amused.