Staff Reporter
Members of Lesotho’s parliament must take the lead in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised during a historic address to the country’s legislative body on yesterday.
Speaking to a joint sitting of the Senate and National Assembly, Guterres called on lawmakers to honour their mandate by shaping a future grounded in sustainable development and justice for all Basotho.
“You represent the hopes and aspirations of all Basotho people. Through your legislative power, you can shape a prosperous and equitable future; invest in clean energy and climate resilience; and champion good governance, transparency, and accountability,” he told the gathered legislators.
This marked the first visit by a UN Secretary-General to Lesotho in over two decades, with Guterres paying tribute to the bicentenary of the Basotho nation and reflecting on the legacy of its founder, Morena Moshoeshoe I.
“King Moshoeshoe charted a revolutionary path. While others chose conflict, he embraced dialogue. His vision transcended the challenges of his time, transforming this great land into a sanctuary of peace through diplomatic and moral courage,” Guterres said.
Addressing injustice against Africa
The Secretary-General also delivered a strong critique of global systems that exclude Africa from decision-making.
“When a continent that is home to nearly a fifth of humanity remains systematically excluded from global decision-making, we must call this what it is: a relic of colonialism that has no place in today’s world,” he declared.
He highlighted the lack of African representation in the UN Security Council as a glaring injustice, calling for reforms to grant the continent permanent seats.
“Africa has no permanent voice when the world decides on matters of war and peace… This is unacceptable – and it must change,” Guterres insisted.
Climate and financial justice for Lesotho
Turning to climate justice, Guterres underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.
“Families are grappling with food shortages, water scarcity, and the loss of livelihoods. Africa accounts for less than 4 percent of global carbon emissions but suffers from some of the most devastating climate impacts,” he said.
Praising Lesotho’s potential in renewable energy, he called for global solidarity and investments to harness the country’s resources. “Lesotho is a fantastic example of the continent’s renewable energy potential, which remains largely untapped,” he noted.
He also addressed the burden of debt on African nations, including Lesotho, urging for an overhaul of the international financial system.
“African nations pay up to eight times more for borrowing than developed countries. For every dollar spent on education or infrastructure, disproportionate sums are drained away in interest payments,” Guterres pointed out, describing the current system as “outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair.”
Empowering women and youth
Guterres called for transformative actions to empower women and youth, who make up a significant portion of Lesotho’s population.
“No society can thrive while half its population is held back,” he said. “Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power – and a means of redefining and transforming power that will yield benefits for all.”
He highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for young people, noting that two-thirds of Lesotho’s population is under the age of 30.
“This enormous potential needs to be properly invested in,” he stressed, adding that international support is necessary to create jobs and harness the energy of Lesotho’s youth.
The Secretary-General concluded his address by encouraging Lesotho’s lawmakers to honour the legacy of their nation’s founding principles.
“This is your moment to show the world that from the challenges of today, a new era of hope and equality can be born. As you say in Sesotho, ‘Mohale o tsoa maroleng’ – heroes emerge from the dust,” he said, invoking the national motto, “Khotso, Pula, Nala” (Peace, Rain, Prosperity).
