Hmm I wonder who is going to win…

The website seems a bit sad at the moment, but you can folow along here.

“We are sick and tired of crime in our communities,” said ANC head of campaigns Fikile Mbalula to wild applause. “As the ANC we say criminals must be shot in broad daylight, finish and klaar.”

We at least we know that if there is ever another [...]]]> The Times – Police should shoot to kill: Mbalula.

“We are sick and tired of crime in our communities,” said ANC head of campaigns Fikile Mbalula to wild applause. “As the ANC we say criminals must be shot in broad daylight, finish and klaar.”

We at least we know that if there is ever another South African party naming crisis, the ANC could always switch to the PPP: People’s Populist Party or maybe JJE: Judge, Jury, Executioner.

But wait it gets better!

Mbalula told ANC supporters not to be persuaded into voting for Cope and the Democratic Alliance.

He accused the two parties of misleading South Africans when they claimed that they would address social and economic problems if voted into power.

He accused DA leader Helen Zille of destroying Cape Town, saying she has turned “it into a racist capital of the world”.

“Zille is not looking after the interests of our people. She just wants your vote.”

That’s so good I think we should quote it again:

“Zille is not looking after the interests of our people. She just wants your vote.”

It won’t matter as the ANC is predicted to take 64.7% of the vote, but it is still too bad. The South African people deserve more than a one party system.

For more on why the ANC is not excited about Zille see here.

What? I’m winning?

Nana Akufo-Addo has a slim lead as of the moment in the Ghanaian elections. Story here.

Lesotho has the capacity to resolve its political problems if the adversaries set aside their differences and channel their energies towards peace and nation-building.

Oh word? Apparently Lesotho just needs to believe in itself and all the problems will go away. perhaps some motivational posters would be in order. Something like a kitten hanging [...]]]>

Lesotho has the capacity to resolve its political problems if the adversaries set aside their differences and channel their energies towards peace and nation-building.

Oh word? Apparently Lesotho just needs to believe in itself and all the problems will go away. perhaps some motivational posters would be in order. Something like a kitten hanging by one paw and saying “Hold On.” Or maybe this frog…
Anyway I don’t see it. I especially do not see anyone who is in any position to preach on it. Whatever, at least the article author isn’t from Zimbabwe. Oh wait, yes he is… Full story here. Stay tuned.

The Commonwealth group, which was in Lesotho last week to examine Lesotho’s post-election fight over allocation of PR seats, promised to [...]]]> In other news not a whole lot is happening…
SADC met the other day and came to the conclusion that they were going to need to bring in some experts. Public Eye story here.

The Commonwealth group, which was in Lesotho last week to examine Lesotho’s post-election fight over allocation of PR seats, promised to bring in two experts from Ireland and Australia to probe whether the allocation of seats under the Proportional Representation (PR) system was done proportionately.

The Public Eye has a second story here, which says absolutely nothing… However it seems that all sides are firm in their commitment to resolve this issue peacefully. Khosto.

Mosisili told a press conference in the capital Maseru that the opposition parties’ bid would not succeed because courts had ruled that the alliance was valid.

He went on to say that he should know ’cause he told them what to [...]]]> Hey banna! Mosisili says you ain’t got nothing on the LCD. Full story here.

Mosisili told a press conference in the capital Maseru that the opposition parties’ bid would not succeed because courts had ruled that the alliance was valid.

He went on to say that he should know ’cause he told them what to do in the first place.

Anyway I suppose these comments are in response to a decision by SADC to send in SADC. Story here. Sometime after Easter 14 random SADCs will come to Lesotho and probably listen to everything that Mosisili has to say. Stay tuned.
Thabane says:

“We want to prove to SADC that there is collusion between the IEC and the ruling party over the allocation of these seats. We want this matter to be resolved for the sake of peace and stability of this country.”

Everyone said they would play ball with SADC when they showed up…

Full story here. The election numbers were dramatically in favor of the ABC in Maseru (Lowland Urban in general) so this is so very possible. I hope that this goes well and peacefully. I [...]]]>

A BBC correspondent in the capital, Maseru, say the city is deserted, with no public transport and almost all shops closed.

Full story here. The election numbers were dramatically in favor of the ABC in Maseru (Lowland Urban in general) so this is so very possible. I hope that this goes well and peacefully. I wondered why i suddenly got an email from a friend in Lesotho today and now I know. He’s not going to work today (though apparently the Chinese Internet Cafe operators are).

The ABC says they accept the election results and are willing to work with the ruling party, but the allocation of seats in Parliament are wrong and not according to the law. The party says if government does not come to the table by Wednesday they will find more peaceful ways to force them.

Uh oh again. Full story here.

The LCD tops the list with 61 constituency seats, followed by the National Independence Party (NIP) with 21 proportional seats and then the ABC with 17 constituencies. The Lesotho Workers Party (LWP) holds forth [...]]]> Here is the Public Eye story about the elections, it manages to be both informative and speculative ala Public Eye goodness.

The LCD tops the list with 61 constituency seats, followed by the National Independence Party (NIP) with 21 proportional seats and then the ABC with 17 constituencies. The Lesotho Workers Party (LWP) holds forth position with 10 proportional seats, followed on fifth position by Basotho National Party (BNP), which has dropped from position two. Appearing on position six is All Congress Parties (ACP) with two seats, one from first past the post and another from proportional representation.

They also speak to the fairness of the elections. Good job Lesotho. Second story on the free and fair elections, here.
Mbeki says “cool beans” to Mosisili, here.

In other news the LHWP (Lesotho Highlands Water Project) is slated to go ahead with a feasibility study for the next stage.

“The water demand from South Africa is what will determine whether or not there is a need for a second phase.”

I think that the study will probably rule against Lesotho. Oh wait that was not the correct way to phrase that…