martysmith.org » Mosisili

An entry? Yes.

marty — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:17:31 +0000

In Lesotho food crisis news: Climate change has not been kind to Southern Africa. Lesotho is in the midst of the effects of the worst drought in thirty years.

“[Climate change] is an issue that is gaining relevance with the region, the continent and indeed globally. I refer to the fact that all reports are indicating that Africa will suffer the worst effects of this phenomenon,” said UN Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad.

I am not even sure that Southern Africa knows that the stick has a long end to it. Full story here.

In Zim news: Bobby got some applause from SADC… In other news SADC said “Constant Ambivalence!” and then went away for a month until their next “event.” Story here.
Though Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa did have this gem:

“There are no political reforms necessary in my country,” the minister told reporters shortly before the summit began. “We have a democracy like any other democracy in the world.”

In other SADC news Mosisili is out and Angola is in. Obligatory flag:
Finally SADC is starting a rapid deployment force to ensure that no Mosotho ever touches the Katse Dam. Wait that wasn’t how the press release read… Story here.

Peace in Lesotho?

marty — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:54:01 +0000

Supposedly Masire has negotiated peace in Lesotho, story here.

“When we left the issues were more or less settled and the two parties were ready to work together,” he said.

Excuse me? More or less settled? You were in the country for like 30 hours and you atre content to leave with things more or less settled? Was Mosisili even back from Ghana?

Here is a story on the pan-African government conference where Mosisli said:

“Full political integration presupposes total surrender of sovereignty. To some of us, this may indeed be a tall order,” noted Pakalitha Mosisili.

He then went on to say that he would probably end up living in South Africa in a few years, Mbeki willing.
So I don’t know the full timeline for these two events but things seem rushed.

Mosisili en Fuego

marty — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:06:08 +0000

Verbatim from Reuters story:

Government offices in Lesotho caught fire early on Friday, burning several buildings around the seat of government in Maseru.

The fire ripped through several sections of the government complex, including the boardroom of the cabinet principal secretary, close to the prime minister’s office.

The road to the government complex was cordoned off while police investigated the cause of fire.

From News24:

South African public radio reported eye witnesses as saying the fire broke out around 04:30 GMT.

Lesotho Police blocked SABC from filming the fire: here.

Finally, An Update? Mosisili What?

marty — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:26:40 +0000

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…

Lesotho, SADC is watching you

marty — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:05:06 +0000

According to this sardc.net article, the upcoming elections and the subsequent results (well we hope that results ensue…) are being closely watched by SADC.

The Lesotho elections will be significant in that they will be the litmus test on whether the SADC region is indeed on a permanent path towards democratization of its political systems.

In other words, we hope Lesotho does not engage in full scale rioting like 1998 which would not be the best thing to ever happen to the SADC PR department. I suppose one could also see this as a sign that SADC is going to have a presence in the country ready to make sure that the elections do not lead to 1998 levels. And, of course, you can rest assured that the Katse Dam will be well defended…

In other election news, a Public Eye story has Mosisili questioning the ABC’s funding sources, here.

The LCD leader accused ABC of working in cahoots with foreign elements to destabilise the country. “Let me warn them that we have enough capacity to deal with any dissent.”

Mosisili went on to explain the Libyan Ambassador situation:

Mosisili said soon after ABC was formed, the Libyan ambassador to Lesotho Mohamed Algamudi became unruly and was getting out of hand. “We then decided to take him back home because we did not want to sour our relationships with our Libyan friends.”

Yeah I am sure that is exactly the way that the Libyan delegation feels about the whole situation. But the best part of the article is this:

Talking to Public Eye on condition of anonymity, a worried member hit at his leadership saying: “Mosisili must change his attitude and control his tongue if he has to lead this party.”

Good luck Lesotho, you may well need it.

Re: Hugh Masekela and the ABC

marty — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:21:12 +0000

Well Hugh perhaps you will hold your tongue next time, as you have perhaps been banned from the Lesotho airwaves? Here.

This stems from his alleged public support for the Lesotho opposition party, the All Basotho Convention (ABC).
Masekela reportedly used ABC slogans during his recent performance at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, Lesotho.

This is so dumb on so many levels. Of course it is annoying on the governmental level as it relates to the fact that the LCD is resorting to tactics like this, but also on the level of music in Lesotho. Does Hugh really care if he is banned in Lesotho? He might think roughly as I do and think that it is annoying, but I doubt that Lesotho is his money maker stop of Africa.
Way to go Mosisili…

Mosisili says "Oh snap!"

marty — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:15:05 +0000

From the Public Eye article here:

“I warn those who think they can cross swords with (Lesotho Congress for Democracy) LCD that we have seen all these particles breaking down as we were traveling this road and one of them is the ABC,” he said sending a message to the 18 members of parliament who defected from the ruling party to form All Basotho Convention (ABC). He warned the floor-crossers that he will meet them on February 17 as that will be the day “when it will shine upon them. That’s when it will be clear if they crossed or drowned”. Mosisili said: “I was disappointed to hear that even the man I respect made ABC signs.” He was referring to Hugh Masekela and warned all other musicians that by aligning themselves with ABC they are riding on a tiger.

Mosisili went on to say “Aaaaaahhh.” and “I like Bryan Adams the best anyway. I certainly hope he will not have to suffer my hurtful remarks as well.” Mark the 17th down on your calendar folks.