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