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Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

Johannesburg – International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane expressed hope yesterday that Lesotho’s elections would be free and fair.

President Jacob Zuma, as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, constituted the Sadc Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM).

Nkoana-Mashabane was appointed head of the mission, which would observe the Lesotho general elections, set for February 28. “As we head to the actual election day, we remain mindful of the fact that the onus to hold peaceful, free and fair elections rests with the people of the mountain kingdom themselves,” she said in a speech prepared for delivery in Maseru.

“It is thus our sanguine hope that all political parties will, as usual, conduct themselves in a manner that contributes to a peaceful, free and fair democratic election, as this country has done previously.”

She said the people of Lesotho deserved to be congratulated on choosing a peaceful route to resolve political tensions. While Sadc supported and facilitated ongoing dialogue aimed at securing peace, security and stability in Lesotho, it was up to the Basotho to resolve their political differences peacefully.

Nkoana-Mashabane said the SEOM’s primary responsibility was to ensure adherence to the Sadc principles and guidelines governing democratic elections, as well as to African Union and international instruments and best practices.

“It is indeed with a deep sense of pride that we acknowledge that election observation has become a norm and part and parcel of the democratic process in our region, Sadc. And indeed, the democratic values that underpin our regional organisation.”

The SEOM would deploy observers in all 10 districts of Lesotho.

Members of the organ troika, led by Nkoana-Mashabane and supported by the representatives of Namibia, as the outgoing chair of the organ, would engage the Lesotho leadership, political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and the Lesotho Independent Electoral Commission.

“The purpose of our interactions will be to listen to all interested parties and stakeholders, to be apprised of the state of preparations ahead of the election, and assess the state of readiness.”

Meanwhile, South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa was happy with preparations ahead of Lesotho’s elections, his spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.

Ramaphosa was visiting in his capacity as South Africa Development Community-appointed facilitator after an attempted coup in August which led to prime minister Tom Thabane fleeing for South Africa.

Mamoepa said the latest visit included meetings with King Letsie III, representatives of the coalition government namely Thabane of the All Basuthu Convention (ABC), deputy prime minister Mothejoa Metsing of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and minister of gender and youth, sports and recreation Thesele Maseribane of the Basutho Nationa Party. Besides the coalition partners, he also met representatives of the non-governmental organisation sector, church leaders, and chiefs of security agencies the Lesotho Defence Force and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service.

Earlier in February President Jacob Zuma hosted a delegation from the coalition government led by Thabane, in Zuma’s capacity as chair of the SADC troika organ on politics, defence and security co-operation.

Mamoepa said during that meeting the delegation had raised corners over security, the violation of the Maseru facilitation and security accords, and had discussed a request for SADC to help deliver a credible election. – Sapa