LEADING OPPOSITION PARTY SEEKS RECOGNITION, INFLUENCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000182

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RANGOON FOR PATRICK MURPHY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: LEADING OPPOSITION PARTY SEEKS RECOGNITION, INFLUENCE

REF: MASERU 0164

MASERU 00000182 001.2 OF 002



1. Summary: The Ambassador met with Major General Metsing
Lekhanya, the leader of Lesotho's largest opposition party, the
Basotho National Party (BNP),on April 06, 2006. Party Treasurer
Seabata Thabisi and Youth League Chairman Moeketsi Hanyane
accompanied Lekhanya. The DCM and Political Assistant also
participated in this meeting. Their discussions focused on the
preparations for the 2007 national elections and the controversy
surrounding the extension of the contract of the Chairman of
the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC),Leshele Thoahlane by
the Council of State against the wishes of the opposition
parties. The BNP leadership claimed the government was abusing
its privileges for political advantage, behind in preparations
for the elections, and generally ignoring dialog with the
opposition. It called for deeper involvement by the
donor/diplomatic community to ensure free and fair elections in

2007. The Ambassador urged that all stakeholders work towards
a peaceful election process and communicate with their
counterparts in other organizations. End summary.

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Preparations for the 2007 national elections
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2. The Ambassador indicated that as Lesotho approaches general
elections next year, the role of the BNP is important in the
stability of the country and the region. She added that it was
essential to understand the positions of all stakeholders, which
include civil society, the business community and political
parties, to ensure that every sector of society has a voice in
the democratic process of the country. She also stressed that it
is the interest of the international community to see Lesotho
continue on the path toward increasingly stable government and
economic development. The results would impact SADC's regional
stability as well.


3. In response, Lekhanya pointed out that the BNP is looking
forward to the 2007 elections but preparations for the elections
are late and there are burning issues which have to be ironed
out before the elections are held. The BNP leader stated that
some of the issues that opposition parties would like to see
resolved include party funding for all parties, equal access to
state media and provision of transport. He informed the
Ambassador that the ruling party uses state resources for their
political campaigns and this creates an uneven playing field.
Lekhanya emphasized that in order to have peaceful and credible
elections in 2007, auditing the elections is the only yardstick
that can be effective in satisfying all stakeholders. He also
stressed that the BNP's view regarding practical action to
support the elections is that international observers should be
present before, during and after elections, including the
registration period whereby they can verify the accuracy of the
voters roll.


4. In an unexpected move, Lekhanya and his colleagues,
disassociated themselves from and denounced the actions of
Chairman of the BNP Maseru Regional Constituencies and his
colleagues who wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General,
reportedly without the approval or knowledge of the BNP
leadership. In the letter (copied to the King, foreign missions,
the UNDP, the EU Commission in Lesotho, the IEC, SADC
Secretariat, the Commonwealth Secretariat and human rights

SIPDIS
organizations),the Chair and his colleagues requested for the
UN to take over the running of the 2007 elections to curb
election rigging which has been taking place in the past
elections. Lekhanya indicated that disciplinary action was
going to be taken on those responsible.


5. Lekhanya stated that Lesotho is said to be a peaceful
country but this is only on the surface. He indicated that a lot
of people are disgruntled by the government's policies and he
was quick to emphasize that the BNP is responsible for the
tranquility that prevails in the country today. He added that
even members of the ruling party are openly criticizing the
government for mal-administration.


6. The Ambassador noted that it was a positive development for
individuals to express their views in a climate of security. She
urged the BNP leader to always find peaceful solutions to any
disputes. The Ambassador cited the U.S. 2000 Presidential
elections wherein results were accepted and voters moved to
another electoral season without violence . She added that
political parties should work for what is best for the country
and should not to hinder the electoral process. She also pointed
out that there are no major conflicts in Southern Africa
compared to other parts of Africa and Lesotho could serve as an
anchor for the region by continuing to observe the rule of law
and by accepting court decisions if there are elecotral disputes.


7. General Lekhanya indicated that it is always prudent to opt

MASERU 00000182 002.2 OF 002


for talks in any dispute but it becomes difficult when they talk
to " deaf ears ". He pointed out that the low voter turnout of
30 % in the April 2005 local government elections was the result
of the government's intransigent attitude of ignoring the
opposition parties' appeal for the postponement of the local
government elections in order to improve the public awareness
campaign. The party treasurer, Seabata Thabisi, reiterated
Lekhanya's concern that the government has ignored their
requests for meetings to address issues where they do not see
eye-to-eye and to create a platform for further dialogue. The
youth league chairman also expressed his concern about the
participation of the youth in the 2007 elections. He indicated
that the voter apathy in the local government elections was
especially pronounced among younger voters and yet the youth are
the majority. He could foresee a similar situation in next
year's national elections if the incumbent government continues
to ignore the concerns of other stakeholders. The DCM indicated
that low voter turnout is a source of concern and concerted
efforts should be made by all involved to encourage
participation, especially by reaching out to the young people.
Hanyane also claimed that the ruling party has politicized the
distribution of food aid; some BNP members have approached them
and complained that they have to carry the ruling party's
membership cards in order to receive food aid or to get a job in
the rural areas.


8. The Ambassador urged Lekhanya (former leader of the military
regime) and his colleagues to accommodate varying views in a
democratic process encouraged them to remain involved in the
political process regardless of their dissatisfaction with the
prevailing political climate. Lekhanya stated that his party
always supports talks as a first option of settling disputes. If
talks fail, the second option is through the courts of law and
if the legal option also fail, then they resort to " political
action " as the last option and take to the streets to express
discontent. The Ambassador informed Lekhanya that the Embassy
and the international community based in Lesotho will continue
facilitating dialogue on conflict resolution; provide electoral
support; and also participate as observers in next year's
national elections. She stressed that it is essential to
include all segments of society in the political spectrum.

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Extension of the IEC Chairman's contract
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9. Lekhanya indicated that his party was disturbed and saddened
by the decision of the government to take the issue involving
the extension of the IEC Chairman's contract to the Council of
State for approval regardless of protests by of opposition
parties, the Lesotho Law Society's legal opinion against the and
some private law firms saying it is unconstitutional. Lekhanya
concluded by informing the Ambassador that some opposition
parties are already threatening to boycott the elections next
year because they do not want the government to impose Thoahlane
on them because he and Likate refused to allow the ballot boxes
in the aftermath of the 2002 national elections to be opened for
a recount. (Note: Prime Minister Mosisili has said extending
the IEC Chairman's contract was done for the sake of continuity
and nothing else; after holding several unfruitful meetings with
the opposition party leaders, he sought legal advice from the
acting Attorney General who said it was legal to extend the IEC
Chairman's contract. He also pointed out that he came up with a
compromise by releasing one of the IEC Commissioners, Mokhelele
Likate. Mosisili has stated that preparations to fill for the
vacant post are underway and pledged to call the stakeholders
for a meeting to nominate new candidates. End Note.)


10. Comment: The demand by opposition parties to get funding and
transportation from the state during their campaigns is unlikely
to be successful. The 17+ parties have not agreed on a common
platform or message. The Prime Minister's decision of taking the
issue of extending Thoahlane's contract to the Council of State
is regarded by some observers and opposition parties as a shrewd
move. They argue that due to the fact that the majority of the
members of the Council of State are appointed by the Prime
Minister, Mosisili wanted to make sure his mission was
accomplished. The appointment of a member of the IEC is done in
consultation with opposition parties. The letter written to
Koffi Annan without the knowledge of the BNP leadership
demonstrates the existence of loose cannons within the party and
this could create problems in and outside the party if such
unilateral actions continue. It is still too early to say what
course of action the opposition will take after extension of the
IEC Chair's contract. Parliament closed for Easter break on
April 07 and will re-open on April 21, 2006.
PERRY