Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU588
2007-10-29 15:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: A POSSIBLE PDG PILOT NATION?
how-toVZCZCXRO2030 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0588 3021503 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 291503Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3423 RUEHPS/USMISSION OEDC PARIS FR INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3824
UNCLAS MASERU 000588
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, IO;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EUN OECD LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: A POSSIBLE PDG PILOT NATION?
REF: STATE 139331
UNCLAS MASERU 000588
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, IO;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EUN OECD LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: A POSSIBLE PDG PILOT NATION?
REF: STATE 139331
1. (U) In response to reftel request, Embassy Maseru submits the
following information to the Department and the U.S. Mission to
the OECD for consideration of Lesotho as a possible pilot nation
for the Partnership for Democratic Governance in Africa.
2. (SBU) In response to reftel questions:
Lesotho has a demonstrated need for governance capacity and
improved public sector service delivery, but has a low reform
implementation capacity. Following major corruption cases
involving the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in the 1990's, the
nation implemented strong legislation holding contractors
accountable. The Government of Lesotho has only a small amount
of discretionary funding for initiatives such as PDG. Lesotho
has some structures in place which could aid in PDG initiatives,
such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Prime Minister's Smart
Partnership Office, the Directorate on Crime and Economic
Offenses, and the High Court. Lesotho's strong ties with South
Africa and similarities to Swaziland present the possibility of
regional cooperation. Lesotho's leadership within the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) and that organization's
role in helping Lesotho resolve a post-election impasse also
bodes well for such regional cooperation. While Lesotho held
its first local government election in 2005, sub-national
government structures are still largely undeveloped. Several
donors, in particular GTZ, are collaborating with the GOL on
decentralization efforts. Any PDG programs in Lesotho should
focus on service delivery rather than core governmental
functions, and such efforts could possibly be tailored to
dovetail with Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and PEPFAR
efforts in the health, private sector development, and utilities
spheres.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: As Lesotho struggles with many of the key PDG
issues (good governance, strengthening capacity and
accountability, and effective service delivery in fields such as
customs, judicial and tax services),it is clear that the nation
could use outside help. The Government of Lesotho is generally
very receptive to international initiatives designed to increase
its effectiveness. END COMMENT.
4. (SBU) Post shared the narrative of this cable with
UNDP-Lesotho, which agreed with its tenor and conclusions.
MURPHY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, IO;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EUN OECD LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: A POSSIBLE PDG PILOT NATION?
REF: STATE 139331
1. (U) In response to reftel request, Embassy Maseru submits the
following information to the Department and the U.S. Mission to
the OECD for consideration of Lesotho as a possible pilot nation
for the Partnership for Democratic Governance in Africa.
2. (SBU) In response to reftel questions:
Lesotho has a demonstrated need for governance capacity and
improved public sector service delivery, but has a low reform
implementation capacity. Following major corruption cases
involving the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in the 1990's, the
nation implemented strong legislation holding contractors
accountable. The Government of Lesotho has only a small amount
of discretionary funding for initiatives such as PDG. Lesotho
has some structures in place which could aid in PDG initiatives,
such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Prime Minister's Smart
Partnership Office, the Directorate on Crime and Economic
Offenses, and the High Court. Lesotho's strong ties with South
Africa and similarities to Swaziland present the possibility of
regional cooperation. Lesotho's leadership within the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) and that organization's
role in helping Lesotho resolve a post-election impasse also
bodes well for such regional cooperation. While Lesotho held
its first local government election in 2005, sub-national
government structures are still largely undeveloped. Several
donors, in particular GTZ, are collaborating with the GOL on
decentralization efforts. Any PDG programs in Lesotho should
focus on service delivery rather than core governmental
functions, and such efforts could possibly be tailored to
dovetail with Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and PEPFAR
efforts in the health, private sector development, and utilities
spheres.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: As Lesotho struggles with many of the key PDG
issues (good governance, strengthening capacity and
accountability, and effective service delivery in fields such as
customs, judicial and tax services),it is clear that the nation
could use outside help. The Government of Lesotho is generally
very receptive to international initiatives designed to increase
its effectiveness. END COMMENT.
4. (SBU) Post shared the narrative of this cable with
UNDP-Lesotho, which agreed with its tenor and conclusions.
MURPHY