LESOTHO ELECTION UPDATE: RULING PARTY DITCHES DEBATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000069 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO ELECTION UPDATE: RULING PARTY DITCHES DEBATE REF: A) MASERU 0060 B) MASERU 0037 C) MASERU 0024 D) MASERU 0020 AND PREVIOUS MASERU 00000069 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY: Shocking many observers, the governing Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) pulled out of Lesotho's only political debate between major party leaders just hours before the event on February 10 -- one week before the election. The withdrawal came as a surprise and disappointment to LCD members in the audience and to the general public who had anticipated a lively debate. (COMMENT: We have learned that there was an extensive discussion within the LCD executive committee before the decision was reached. END COMMENT.) The debate between All Basotho Convention (ABC) Leader Thomas Thabane and Basotho National Party (BNP) Leader Major General Justin Lekhanya focused on fundamental issues such as jobs and economic development, but also slipped into such negative areas as Chinese-bashing and AGOA-skepticism. The day after the debates marked the end of the campaign season as the three largest parties, the ABC, the BNP, and the LCD held huge exuberant but peaceful rallies in different parts of Maseru. END SUMMARY. -------------- Ruling Party Ditches Debate -------------- ¶2. In a surprise last-minute move, the leader of the governing LCD, Prime Minister Mosisili, following a lengthy internal debate, declined to participate in Lesotho's only large public political debate between major party leaders on February 10. Mosisili's empty chair sat on stage. In a letter read by the debate moderator, Mosisili indicated that he was advised by his party's national executive committee not to participate in the debate. No further explanation has been offered publicly in subsequent days, although we understand a number of ranking LCD members did want to go forward with the debate. Members of the media, local observers, and opposition supporters immediately speculated that this strategic move was chosen as Thabane, who was previously the LCD's spokesperson prior to his October defection, is an eloquent orator who might have out-performed Mosisili in a public forum. -------------- Did State Media Turn Off the ABC's Mic? -------------- ¶3. Saturday's debate, attended by an Embassy officer, NDI staff, and international election observers, was broadcast on state radio and television, and the live coverage of the debate was subject to numerous unexplained interruptions. Many of the interruptions coincided with ABC Leader Thabane's time answering questions. In a dramatic moment, Thabane, after being handed a note, stated that he would not continue with the debate until broadcast on state radio had resumed, prompting a raucous reaction from the crowd of several thousand, frantic deliberations among debate organizers, and subsequent assurances by officials that broadcasts were continuing. Strong reactions and speculation about these alleged broadcast interruptions have continued in the days following the debate. -------------- -------------- Debate Topics: AGOA and the Chinese Take a Beating -------------- -------------- ¶4. Thabane and Lekhanya responded to questions from a three-person panel of academics and consultants focused on subsidizing agriculture, AGOA, HIV/AIDS, education, Chinese businessmen, health services, and the economic situation. In an odd moment, BNP Leader Lekhanya stated that AGOA hadn't helped the Basotho people, but had done more to help Chinese businessmen. The former military leader also criticized Chinese-run textile mills for paying "slave wages" and contributing to the country's poverty. (NOTE: Lesotho's apparel industry, an AGOA success story, employs over 40,000 Basotho. END NOTE.) While most of the anti-Chinese rhetoric came from Major General Lekhanya, Thabane did not counter it. MASERU 00000069 002.2 OF 002 -------------- Large, Peaceful Rallies -------------- ¶5. February 11th marked the end of mass political campaign season. The three largest parties held rallies across Maseru which were attended by thousands of supporters clad in their party colors and chanting political slogans. Embassy personnel witnessed an unusually large police presence across the city, and a peaceful atmosphere was maintained. According to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) spokesperson, there were no reports on violence or intimidation. The capital breathed a collective sigh of relief as such large, highly charged events passed without incident. -------------- Feverish Intrigue on Eve of Election -------------- ¶6. COMMENT: The national debate was a healthy exercise for Lesotho's democratization, albeit replete with the usual drama and intrigue that has become standard in this country's political landscape. To date, the LCD has not offered any explanation as to why they declined to participate in the national debate. The Media Institute of Lesotho (MILES) has staunchly criticized the Media Monitoring Panel for not giving the media a chance to ask questions during the debate on behalf of the general public. Opposition parties continue to argue that the LCD has used its governing position to monopolize state television and radio. As more than 300 international observers stream into town to observe the National Assembly election on February 17, every ear in Lesotho continues to tune into the constant waves of rumor, innuendo, and anxiety which punctuates Lesotho's societal discourse on the eve of elections. END COMMENT. PERRY