Maseru- Lesotho’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the nation’s vital campaign for the Secretary-General position of the Commonwealth Secretariat. This position is not just a national effort but a continental ambition, symbolizing Africa’s step towards influential roles in global governance.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lejone Mpotjoane, addressing the nation, emphasized the significance of this campaign.
“Lesotho, as a member of the Commonwealth, has every right to campaign for this prestigious position. This is our chance, as the African continent, to step forward and take our place in the Commonwealth’s leadership, which cyculates through its various regions,” Mpotjoane stated.
Lesotho’s candidate, Mr Joshua Setipa, stands among three contenders, including representatives from Ghana and Gambia. Setipa, a well-regarded figure with substantial qualifications, is seen as a beacon of hope for the country’s international aspirations.
“If Lesotho wins these elections, it will be a landmark achievement, making us the first Southern African nation and the second African country to hold this esteemed position,” Mpotjoane added.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), comprising 11 member countries including Lesotho, has thrown its full support behind Setipa’s candidacy. This collective backing was solidified through a written document, ensuring a united regional front. President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana has also actively joined the campaign, amplifying its reach and influence.
To further strengthen their campeign, the Lesotho government has showed a delegation of special representatives, including Chief Seiso Bereng Seiso, former Foreign Ministers Mohlabi Tsekoa and ‘Mat’sepoMakoae. These envoys have been tasked with visiting selected countries to gather additional support for Setipa. Their mission is clear: to secure votes and secureLesotho’s position ahead of the election scheduled for October 20, 2024, in Samoa.
Setipa himself expressed his vision and commitment if elected. “If I win this election, I will work tirelessly to strengthen the bonds between Commonwealth countries, ensuring our students can study abroad without falling to fraudulent scholarships,” Setipa promised.
He highlighted the importance of the Commonwealth in fostering economic development and international trade, benefits from which Lesotho has not been excluded. “The support from our government signifies unity and demonstrates that our country is serious about making a significant impact on the global stage,” he added.
Lesotho’s campaign for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s top post marks a crucial moment in its diplomatic history. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sees this as the beginning of a broader foreign policy initiative aimed at ensuring that Lesotho has robust representation in all major international unions. Minister Mpotjoane concluded his address with a call to the nation, “We ask all Basotho to support Setipa. Together, we can make Lesotho recognizable for all the right reasons.”
As the election date approaches, the nation awaits in expectation, hopeful that Setipa’s candidacy will bring a new dawn of recognition and respect to Lesotho within the Commonwealth and beyond.
