VZCZCXRO2129
RR RUEHDU RUEHJO
DE RUEHMR #0182/01 1031007
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131007Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1992
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0006
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2259

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000182 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
RANGOON FOR PATRICK MURPHY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: LEADING OPPOSITION PARTY SEEKS RECOGNITION, INFLUENCE 
 
REF: MASERU 0164 
 
MASERU 00000182  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.   Summary: The Ambassador met with Major General Metsing 
Lekhanya, the leader of Lesotho's largest opposition party, the 
Basotho National Party (BNP), on April 06, 2006. Party Treasurer 
Seabata Thabisi and Youth League Chairman Moeketsi Hanyane 
accompanied Lekhanya. The DCM and Political Assistant also 
participated in this meeting. Their discussions focused on the 
preparations for the 2007 national elections and the controversy 
surrounding the extension of the contract  of the Chairman of 
the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Leshele Thoahlane by 
the Council of State against the wishes of the opposition 
parties. The BNP leadership claimed the government was abusing 
its privileges for political advantage, behind in preparations 
for the elections, and generally ignoring dialog with the 
opposition.  It called for deeper involvement by the 
donor/diplomatic community to ensure free and fair elections in 
¶2007.   The Ambassador urged that all stakeholders work towards 
a peaceful election process and communicate with their 
counterparts in other organizations.   End summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------------ 
Preparations for the 2007 national elections 
--------------------------------------------- ------------------- 
 
¶2.  The Ambassador indicated that as Lesotho approaches general 
elections next year, the role of the BNP is important in the 
stability of the country and the region. She added that it was 
essential to understand the positions of all stakeholders, which 
include civil society, the business community and political 
parties, to ensure that every sector of society has a voice in 
the democratic process of the country. She also stressed that it 
is the interest of the international community to see Lesotho 
continue on the path toward increasingly stable government and 
economic development. The results would impact SADC's regional 
stability as well. 
 
¶3.   In response, Lekhanya pointed out that the BNP is looking 
forward to the 2007 elections but preparations for the elections 
are late and there are burning issues which have to be ironed 
out before the elections are held. The BNP leader stated that 
some of the issues that opposition parties would like to see 
resolved include party funding for all parties, equal access to 
state media and provision of transport. He informed the 
Ambassador that the ruling party uses state resources for their 
political campaigns and this creates an uneven playing field. 
Lekhanya emphasized that in order to have peaceful and credible 
elections in 2007, auditing the elections is the only yardstick 
that can be effective in satisfying all stakeholders. He also 
stressed that the BNP's view regarding practical action to 
support the elections is that international observers should be 
present before, during and after elections, including the 
registration period whereby they can verify the accuracy of the 
voters roll. 
 
¶4.  In an unexpected move, Lekhanya and his colleagues, 
disassociated themselves from  and denounced the actions of 
Chairman of the BNP Maseru Regional Constituencies and his 
colleagues who wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General, 
reportedly without the approval or knowledge of the BNP 
leadership. In the letter (copied to the King, foreign missions, 
the UNDP, the EU Commission in Lesotho, the IEC, SADC 
Secretariat, the Commonwealth Secretariat and human rights 
 
SIPDIS 
organizations), the Chair and his colleagues requested for the 
UN to take over the running of the 2007 elections to curb 
election rigging which has been taking place in the past 
elections.  Lekhanya indicated that disciplinary action was 
going to be taken on those responsible. 
 
¶5.  Lekhanya stated that Lesotho is said to be a peaceful 
country but this is only on the surface. He indicated that a lot 
of people are disgruntled by the government's policies and he 
was quick to emphasize that the BNP is responsible for the 
tranquility that prevails in the country today. He added that 
even members of the ruling party are openly criticizing the 
government for mal-administration. 
 
¶6.  The Ambassador noted that it was a positive development for 
individuals to express their views in a climate of security. She 
urged the BNP leader to always find peaceful solutions to any 
disputes. The Ambassador cited the U.S. 2000 Presidential 
elections wherein results were accepted and voters moved to 
another electoral season without violence .  She added that 
political parties should work for what is best for the country 
and should not to hinder the electoral process. She also pointed 
out that there are no major conflicts in Southern Africa 
compared to other parts of Africa and Lesotho could serve as an 
anchor for the region by continuing to observe the rule of law 
and by accepting court decisions if there are elecotral disputes. 
 
¶7.  General Lekhanya indicated that it is always prudent to opt 
 
MASERU 00000182  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
for talks in any dispute but it becomes difficult when they talk 
to " deaf ears ".  He pointed out that the low voter turnout of 
30 % in the April 2005 local government elections was the result 
of the government's intransigent attitude of ignoring the 
opposition parties' appeal for the postponement of the local 
government elections in order to improve the public awareness 
campaign. The party treasurer, Seabata Thabisi,  reiterated 
Lekhanya's concern that the government has ignored their 
requests for meetings to address issues where they do not see 
eye-to-eye and to create a platform for further dialogue. The 
youth league chairman also expressed his concern about the 
participation of the youth in the 2007 elections. He indicated 
that the voter apathy in the local government elections was 
especially pronounced among younger voters and yet the youth are 
the majority.  He could foresee a similar situation in next 
year's national elections if the incumbent government continues 
to ignore the concerns of other stakeholders. The DCM indicated 
that low voter turnout is a source of concern and concerted 
efforts should be made by all involved to encourage 
participation,  especially by reaching out to the young people. 
 Hanyane also  claimed that the ruling party has politicized the 
distribution of food aid; some BNP members have approached them 
and complained that they have to carry the ruling party's 
membership cards in order to receive food aid or to get a job in 
the rural areas. 
 
¶8.  The Ambassador urged Lekhanya (former leader of the military 
regime) and his colleagues to accommodate varying views in a 
democratic process encouraged them to remain involved in the 
political process regardless of their dissatisfaction with the 
prevailing political climate.  Lekhanya stated that his party 
always supports talks as a first option of settling disputes. If 
talks fail, the second option is through the courts of law and 
if the legal option also fail, then they resort to " political 
action "  as the last option and take to the streets to express 
discontent. The Ambassador informed Lekhanya that the Embassy 
and the international community based in Lesotho will continue 
facilitating dialogue on conflict resolution; provide electoral 
support; and also participate as observers in next year's 
national elections.  She stressed that it is essential to 
include all segments of society in the political spectrum. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
    Extension of the IEC Chairman's contract 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
¶9.  Lekhanya indicated that his party was disturbed and saddened 
by the decision of the government to take the issue involving 
the extension of the IEC Chairman's contract to the Council of 
State for approval regardless of protests by of opposition 
parties, the Lesotho Law Society's legal opinion against the and 
some private law firms saying it is unconstitutional.   Lekhanya 
concluded by informing the Ambassador that some opposition 
parties are already threatening to boycott the elections next 
year because they do not want the government to impose Thoahlane 
on them because he and Likate refused to allow the ballot boxes 
in the aftermath of the 2002 national elections to be opened for 
a recount. (Note:  Prime Minister Mosisili has said extending 
the IEC Chairman's contract was done for the sake of continuity 
and nothing else; after holding several unfruitful meetings with 
the opposition party leaders, he sought legal advice from the 
acting Attorney General who said it was legal to extend the IEC 
Chairman's contract.  He also pointed out that he came up with a 
compromise by releasing one of the IEC Commissioners, Mokhelele 
Likate. Mosisili has stated that preparations to fill for the 
vacant post are underway and pledged to call the stakeholders 
for a meeting to nominate new candidates. End Note.) 
 
¶10. Comment: The demand by opposition parties to get funding and 
transportation from the state during their campaigns is unlikely 
to be successful. The 17+ parties have not agreed on a common 
platform or message. The Prime Minister's decision of taking the 
issue of extending Thoahlane's contract to the Council of State 
is regarded by some observers and opposition parties as a shrewd 
move. They argue that due to the fact that the majority of the 
members of the Council of State are appointed by the Prime 
Minister, Mosisili wanted to make sure his mission was 
accomplished. The appointment of a member of the IEC is done in 
consultation with opposition parties.  The letter written to 
Koffi Annan without the knowledge of the BNP leadership 
demonstrates the existence of loose cannons within the party and 
this could create problems in and outside the party if such 
unilateral actions continue.  It is still too early to say what 
course of action the opposition will take after extension of the 
IEC Chair's contract. Parliament closed for Easter break on 
April 07 and will re-open on April 21, 2006. 
PERRY