Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MASERU380
2009-10-27 08:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
SADC ORGAN TROIKA ASSESSES STATUS OF 2007 ELECTION DISPUTE
how-toVZCZCXRO0950 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0380 3000843 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270843Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4444 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4878
UNCLAS MASERU 000380
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S, INR/AF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LT
SUBJECT: SADC ORGAN TROIKA ASSESSES STATUS OF 2007 ELECTION DISPUTE
REF: Maseru 376
UNCLAS MASERU 000380
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S, INR/AF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LT
SUBJECT: SADC ORGAN TROIKA ASSESSES STATUS OF 2007 ELECTION DISPUTE
REF: Maseru 376
1. The SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security
Cooperation sent the current leadership Troika to Lesotho for
its initial review of the status of the dispute over the
distribution of parliamentary seats in the 2007 election
(reftel). Foreign Ministers from Mozambique, the current Organ
chair, Swaziland, and Zambia met with all stakeholders on
Monday, October 26; their meetings included individual sessions
with the diplomatic corps, governing party (Lesotho Congress for
Democracy),all opposition parties, and the Christian Council of
Lesotho (CCL),which has been mediating talks since early August
2009. The Troika will issue a report noting its findings and
recommendations.
2. Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oldemiro Baloi,
mentioned that the session with the opposition parties had been
particularly contentious, although he was reluctant to provide
any other details. In a press statement issued on Tuesday,
October 27, the Troika noted that the key issues raised by all
stakeholders included: confidence in the mediation efforts of
the CCL; a need for electoral law reform to prevent future
disputes; a need for collaboration between SADC and CCL; a need
for innovative, holistic ways to promote and speed up the
political dialogue.
3. Post will provide updates once the Troika's report is
released; no expected release date has been given.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S, INR/AF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LT
SUBJECT: SADC ORGAN TROIKA ASSESSES STATUS OF 2007 ELECTION DISPUTE
REF: Maseru 376
1. The SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security
Cooperation sent the current leadership Troika to Lesotho for
its initial review of the status of the dispute over the
distribution of parliamentary seats in the 2007 election
(reftel). Foreign Ministers from Mozambique, the current Organ
chair, Swaziland, and Zambia met with all stakeholders on
Monday, October 26; their meetings included individual sessions
with the diplomatic corps, governing party (Lesotho Congress for
Democracy),all opposition parties, and the Christian Council of
Lesotho (CCL),which has been mediating talks since early August
2009. The Troika will issue a report noting its findings and
recommendations.
2. Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oldemiro Baloi,
mentioned that the session with the opposition parties had been
particularly contentious, although he was reluctant to provide
any other details. In a press statement issued on Tuesday,
October 27, the Troika noted that the key issues raised by all
stakeholders included: confidence in the mediation efforts of
the CCL; a need for electoral law reform to prevent future
disputes; a need for collaboration between SADC and CCL; a need
for innovative, holistic ways to promote and speed up the
political dialogue.
3. Post will provide updates once the Troika's report is
released; no expected release date has been given.
NOLAN