LESOTHO: PRIME MINISTER MOSISILI CHALLENGES MUGABE

UNCLAS MASERU 000344

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S MATTHEW SHIELDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: PRIME MINISTER MOSISILI CHALLENGES MUGABE


1. Summary: Lesotho's Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili,
called for President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to conclude a
power-sharing deal with the opposition. Mosisili confronted
Mugabe with the fact that he does not have a majority in
Parliament. At a press conference held in Maseru on November
14, 2008, Mosisili expressed regret that there is still no
government in place, months after the people of Zimbabwe went to
the polls. On November 9, 2008, the Prime Minister had attended
an Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) in South Africa. The Summit met to "review the
latest Political and Security situation in the Region with
particular reference to the current developments in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Zimbabwe." End
Summary.


2. Speaking at a press conference in Maseru on Friday November
14, following the SADC meeting, Lesotho's Prime Minister stated
that he felt sorry for the people of Zimbabwe, citing the
failure of the ruling ZANU - PF and the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) to resolve the deadlock over which party
will control the Ministry of Home Affairs. Mosisili stated
that: "I personally told President Robert Mugabe that you don't
have a majority and he said I do. And I said you don't." He
further added that, "as a person, I feel very sorry that there
is still no agreement acceptable to all parties in Zimbabwe. We
are all aware of the severe problems of poverty, unemployment
and a host of other maladies that have engulfed that country and
it is unfortunate that the will of the people continues to be
disregarded."


3. Mosisili also expressed a wish that African leaders follow
the example of the United States, in accepting defeat after
losing elections. He was impressed by John McCain's gracious
concession speech at the conclusion of the November 4 elections.
"He congratulated the President-Elect, Barack Obama before the
final results were announced." Mosisili also mentioned that
McCain not only congratulated Obama, but committed that he would
work with him. To this he said: "African leaders tend to put
their personal interests above that of their citizens and do not
accept defeat." Local commentators picked up on this and one
column wrote: "Can you imagine McCain who lost the election in
the US refusing to concede defeat and instead demanding that
Obama should equitably share political power with him?"


4. Mosisili however, stressed that SADC is not a "super
government" but just an association of sovereign countries and
as such, cannot impose directives on Zimbabwe because each
member country's sovereignty must be respected.


5. Comments: Mosisili's latest statement illustrates a change
in his tone and his point of view regarding the political
impasse in Zimbabwe. He now joins the ranks of foreign leaders
who have openly challenged Mugabe's legitimacy. Embassy Maseru
is encouraged by Mosisili's new attitude toward Mugabe and will
encourage further interventions of this kind in the hopes that
continued intra-African pressure from the region may help to
speed a solution to the Zimbabwean standoff. End comment.

NOLAN