THE Commonwealth Secretary-General, King’s Counsel Patricia Scotland is on a week-long visit to Lesotho, where she will meet key stakeholders to discuss issues of mutual interest and address bilateral and global issues affecting the Commonwealth.
politics
Oct. 31, 2022
OWN CORRESPONDENT
2 min read
Commonwealth envoy to discuss global issues with Matekane
Commonwealth Secretary-General, KC Patricia Scotland
Story highlights
The new Prime Minister thanks Basotho for electing him into office
Commonwealth promises its continued support to Lesotho
She will also pay a visit to the neighbouring South Africa for similar purposes.
KC Scotland has already paid a courtesy to His Majesty King Letsie III and is expected to meet the new Prime Minister Sam Matekane to discuss the Commonwealth Secretariat’s continued support to Lesotho.
She was also part of a high-powered delegation that attended the inauguration of the country’s newly-elected Prime Minister in Maseru on Friday.
Thousands of Basotho attended the ceremony at the Setsoto Stadium to witness Matekane take his oath of office as Lesotho’s seventh Prime Minister.
They were joined by King Letsie III and regional leaders including the Presidents of South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana, as well as heads of international organisations.
The inauguration follows the October 7 general elections, which saw Matekane’s Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) win the polls but fall short of an overall majority, leading to the formation of a coalition government with two other political parties - the Alliance for Democrats (AD) and Movement for Economic Change (MEC).
The Commonwealth Observer Group declared the elections calm and peaceful.
In his inauguration address, Matekane said: “For many days, I went around this country asking you to elect my party into government. Today I address you with a deep sense of gratitude and humility to accept the baton as the 7th Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
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“I promise that I will spearhead the process to write our country's historical role and make Lesotho great again.”
Speaking at the ceremony, KC Scotland said: “I am truly honoured and privileged to be here today with the Basotho and friends from the Commonwealth to witness the swearing-in of Prime Minister Samuel Matekane.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth family of nations, I offer my warmest congratulations to the new Prime Minister and the Basotho on their commitment to a peaceful election and a smooth transfer of power.”
She added: “Lesotho and the Commonwealth share a longstanding commitment to friendship, peace, and values embodied in the Commonwealth Charter. It is in that spirit that I look forward to continuing working with the people and government of Lesotho to advance our shared goal of a thriving and stable democracy for generations to come.” -Commonwealth News
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