Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MASERU306
2008-10-17 08:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

LESOTHO UPDATE: POLITICAL CLIMATE MARRED BY INTRA-PARTY

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM LT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7875
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0306/01 2910832
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170832Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3875
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4295
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000306 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S
MATTHEW SHIELDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO UPDATE: POLITICAL CLIMATE MARRED BY INTRA-PARTY
FEUDS AND "INTRANSIGENT" LEADERS

REF: A) MASERU 303 B) MASERU 000199 C) MASERU 000088

MASERU 00000306 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000306

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S
MATTHEW SHIELDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO UPDATE: POLITICAL CLIMATE MARRED BY INTRA-PARTY
FEUDS AND "INTRANSIGENT" LEADERS

REF: A) MASERU 303 B) MASERU 000199 C) MASERU 000088

MASERU 00000306 001.2 OF 002



1. Summary: Since May 2008, rumors have emerged about
internal disputes and power struggles within the governing
Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and within the two major
opposition parties, the All Basotho Convention (ABC) and the
Basotho National Party (BNP). According to local analysts,
discontent within the three afore-mentioned parties has
continued unabated and opposing factions have emerged as a
result. Meanwhile, both the talks regarding the dispute of
allocation of seats in the National Assembly mediated by the
former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire; and the talks
between the Maseru Bus and Taxi Associations and the Government
of Lesotho (GOL),brokered by Bishop Paul Khoarai, are on the
brink of collapse. End summary.


2. On September 25, 2008, the Lesotho Monitor published
rumors of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, reflecting reported
tensions within the governing LCD party. Previous expectations
that a major Cabinet shake-up would take place did not
materialize. However, highly-placed sources within the LCD
informed the Embassy that changes could still take place within
a ninety-day period. The party is reported to be polarized, with
one faction - which includes the youth - reported to be
pro-Monyane Moleleki who is currently Minister of Natural
Resources. Local observers claim that the pro-Moleleki faction
has the support of the majority of Members of Parliament. The
other faction still supports Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
The pro-Mosisili faction is reported to have the support of most
of the Members of Cabinet and the powerful Secretary-General of
the party, Mpho Malie.


3. The Moleleki faction allegedly would like a clear
succession plan and wants to see the Prime Minister, who is on
his third term, leave office even though the Constitution allows
him to seek more terms. According to Embassy sources,
Moleleki's camp argues that a leader who stays in power for too
long becomes susceptible to despotic tendencies and ends up
eliminating the competition, thus stifling the development of
potential future party leaders. At a recent LCD policy

conference, held from September 26-28 2008, Prime Minister
Mosisili pointedly warned that party members who undermine both
party protocols and the authority of the National Executive
Committee (NEC) by campaigning in the constituencies using
official transport without authorization; and by contradicting
and challenging decisions, directives, and administration of the
NEC, would be removed from office with immediate effect. The
audience reacted by shouting Moleleki's name. On October 5
2008, the LCD NEC subsequently fired the entire Youth League
leadership, which was accused of being aligned with Moleleki's
faction. New members are likely to be elected as soon as all
the constituencies have been consulted. The LCD is expected to
hold its general conference in January 2009.


4. The main opposition party, the ABC, has also not been
immune to internal power struggles. There are some members who
have become disgruntled about the Interim Executive Committee's
lack of commitment to hold an annual general conference which
will pave the way for Executive Committee elections. (Note: The
Interim Executive Committee was appointed - not elected - in
November 2006 just three months prior to the February 2007 snap
elections. This has created concern among some party members who
desire elections to be held. End note).


5. In May 2008, the ABC Women's League and the Youth League,
including some constituencies, filed a lawsuit against the
Interim Executive Committee's decision to distribute a 'draft
constitution' to some constituencies without their knowledge.
On October 01 2008, the ABC leadership responded by instructing
Youth League Leader Qamaka Nts'ene, Women's League Leader,
Mookho Mathibeli, and other members, to appear before the
party's disciplinary committee on charges of bringing the party
into disrepute. All the members who were summoned to appear
before the disciplinary committee defied the instruction, citing
personal safety. They also stated that they did not know the
party member who signed the letters. Furthermore, the letters
instructed them to report to an unfamiliar venue. The defiant
members have since been suspended by party leader Tom Thabane
for "unbecoming behavior". The ABC is scheduled to hold its
party conference in December 2008 and it is widely expected to
be a tense atmosphere.


6. The BNP's internal power struggles began in 2006 and led
to a splinter group forming a new party, the Basotho Democratic
National Party (BDNP),which contested the 2007 snap election
but did not draw any significant support. Disgruntled party
members continue to openly encourage the BNP leader, Major
General Metsing Lekhanya, to resign. (Note: General Lekhanya is
a former head of the military junta which overthrew the BNP
government in 1986. The former BNP government had ruled the

MASERU 00000306 002.2 OF 002


country for twenty years under the leadership of the late Prime
Minister Dr. Leabua Jonathan. Lekhanya has been the leader of
the party since 1999 following the demise Rets'elisitsoe
Sekhonyana. End note).


7. Lekhanya has been accused of alienating potential
successors within the party by surrounding himself with "yes
men" (mostly former members of the security forces) who have no
potential for leadership. The Youth League President, Moeketsi
Haanyane, fell out of favor with the BNP leader after supporting
the move for a leadership change. The BNP is scheduled to hold
its conference in March 2009. Many observers will be watching
closely to see if General Lekhanya actually decides to retire
from politics at that time.


8. Amidst all these developments, the crucial political
dialogue mediated by the former President of Botswana, Sir
Ketumile Masire, and the talks between GOL and the Maseru Taxi
and Bus Associations under the mediation of Bishop Paul Khoarai
of Leribe, have both come to a deadlock. According to local
media and analysts, the situation in the country has been
exacerbated by "arrogant and intransigent" politicians who have
failed to embrace dialogue as a way of advancing peaceful and
lasting solutions.


9. In the Masire negotiations between the GOL and opposition
parties, progress has ceased. The GOL is opposed to the
invitation of electoral experts, which the opposition parties
had suggested to facilitate a final determination as to whether
the allocation of proportional seats in Parliament was done in
accordance with the "Mixed Member Proportional" electoral model
mandated by Lesotho law. The government's stance has led to a
stalemate, as neither side can agree on the wording of the
proposed memorandum of understanding (reftel A). The transport
operators' dialogue with GOL (reftel B),has also come to a
standstill, as neither party wants to let go of their vested
interests. Some members of the Maseru Taxi and Bus Associations
have openly warned that there would violence if the GOL does not
take their concerns seriously.


10. Comment: Intra-party power struggles continue to plague
the three major political parties. Within the parties
themselves democratic norms and values are lacking. The leaders
of the ABC, BNP and the governing LCD parties sometimes utilize
questionable practices such as appointing rather than electing
party leadership; writing clauses into party constitutions which
allow the leader to be considered "leader for life"; and
refusing to create a method for transparent succession -
including the election of party officials - despite repeated
requests from party members. Some local analysts argue that
these attitudes will spill over into Parliament and the
Executive branch, and adversely affect the nation at large.
Both Lekhanya and Mosisili have been accused by their party
executives of trying to stay in power indefinitely and failing
to come up with a clear plan for leadership succession. Embassy
media sources believe that both leaders want to hand-pick their
successors before considering retirement, and neither seem in a
hurry to do so. It will be interesting to see the outcome of
the three parties' annual conferences, scheduled to take place
in December 2008, January 2009 and March 2009, respectively.


11. The political dialogue mediated by Masire under the
auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),
and talks between the GOL and transport operators, have come to
a standstill reportedly due to unwillingness to compromise and
arrogance on the part of the parties involved. This has
illustrated a lack of political maturity, intolerance, and a
lack of commitment to a resolution. Failure to continue the
dialogue has diminished the possibility of a win-win situation.
It is unclear at this point what the next course of action will
be regarding the stalled talks.
ANDERSON