Mohloai Mpesi
The government of Lesotho should expedite completion of the ongoing reforms and continue with peace, transitional justice and reconciliation process to foster national unity and bring about national healing and cohesion.
A full summit of the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) made this request in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday.
In a communiqué, the regional leaders said they received a progress report from the SADC facilitator to Lesotho, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa on the implementation of SADC decisions in Lesotho.
The communiqué read: “Summit also urged the Kingdom of Lesotho to expedite completion of the ongoing reforms, and to continue with peace, transitional justice and reconciliation process to engender national unity, and bring about national healing and cohesion.â€
The reforms suffered a setback last month when the term of parliament ended without it having passed the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill 2022.
Recognising the failure to pass the bill, Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro this week declared a state of emergency.
Commonly known as the omnibus bill, the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill promises to arrest some of the longstanding constitutional problems.
These include the excessive powers of the prime minister, a judiciary that is controlled by the executive, politicised security agencies and a weak parliament.
“Realising that failure to pass the two bills (Omnibus Bill and the National Assembly Electoral Amendment Bill, 2022) means continuation of unchecked politicisation of the public service, including the security agencies, loopholes in the constitution, formation of coalition governments, unregulated floor crossing in parliament and inadequate regulation of political parties, which have been identified as factors undermining political stability, justice and peace in the country,†Majoro said when he declared a state of emergency.
He further said that unless the stated undesirable situation is addressed, “it is likely to be beyond control and escalate thus causing more threat to the peace, safety and stability of the Basotho nationâ€.
Now with the state of emergency declared, it is expected that the King will recall parliament to pass the Omnibus Bill and the National Assembly Electoral Amendment Bill.
Summary
- “Summit also urged the Kingdom of Lesotho to expedite completion of the ongoing reforms, and to continue with peace, transitional justice and reconciliation process to engender national unity, and bring about national healing and cohesion.
- “Realising that failure to pass the two bills (Omnibus Bill and the National Assembly Electoral Amendment Bill, 2022) means continuation of unchecked politicisation of the public service, including the security agencies, loopholes in the constitution, formation of coalition governments, unregulated floor crossing in parliament and inadequate regulation of political parties, which have been identified as factors undermining political stability, justice and peace in the country,†Majoro said when he declared a state of emergency.
- Now with the state of emergency declared, it is expected that the King will recall parliament to pass the Omnibus Bill and the National Assembly Electoral Amendment Bill.
Welcome to Newsday Media – Your Trusted Source for News and Insights in Lesotho!
At Newsday Media, we are passionate about delivering accurate, timely, and engaging news and multimedia content to our diverse audience. Founded with the vision of revolutionizing the media landscape in Lesotho, we have grown into a leading hybrid media company that blends traditional journalism with innovative digital platforms.
Our mission is simple: to inform, inspire, and empower our readers by providing comprehensive coverage of local and global events, current affairs, and cultural happenings. Whether you’re looking for breaking news, in-depth analysis, or captivating storytelling, Newsday Media is your go-to destination for all things news-related.
With a dedicated team of journalists, editors, and multimedia experts, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity and professionalism. We pride ourselves on delivering content that not only informs but also sparks conversation, fosters understanding, and drives positive change in our society.
From our flagship newspaper to our dynamic digital platforms, we offer a wide range of multimedia content to cater to the diverse interests and preferences of our audience. Whether you prefer to stay informed through print, online articles, videos, or podcasts, Newsday Media has something for everyone.
We believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, bridge divides, and inspire action. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing a platform for voices from all walks of life, championing diversity, inclusion, and authenticity in everything we do.
Thank you for visiting Newsday Media. We invite you to explore our website, engage with our content, and join us on our journey to inform, inspire, and empower our community. Together, let’s shape the future of media in Lesotho.
