VZCZCXRO9043
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0093/01 0581543
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271543Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2656
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3005

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000093 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LT
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER MOSISILI SWORN-IN, OPPOSITION HOLDS RALLY 
 
REF: MASERU 87 AND PREVIOUS 
 
MASERU 00000093  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: The leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy 
(LCD), Pakalitha Mosisili, was inaugurated for his third term as 
Prime Minister on February 23, 2007.  The inauguration was 
preceded by a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected members of 
the National Assembly, which was not attended by 
parliamentarians-elect from major opposition parties.  Mosisili 
thanked the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and other 
sectors of society for making the election a success. 
Meanwhile, the leading opposition party, the All Basotho 
Convention (ABC), held a large rally in Maseru on February 25, 
which was attended by an estimated 10,000 supporters and the 
leaders of major opposition parties (the National Independent 
Party (NIP), the Basotho National Party (BNP) and the Lesotho 
Workers Party (LWP)).  The ABC leader criticized the IEC for not 
responding to the oppositions' election grievances and for its 
passivity regarding alleged LCD violations of electoral law and 
the electoral "Code of Conduct".  He also stated that the 
opposition did not attend the swearing-in ceremony as opposition 
MPs-elect were not officially informed of the event, and that 
"peaceful mass actions" would be forthcoming.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
Mosisili Sworn In For Third Term 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶2.  On February 23, Prime Minister Mosisili was sworn into 
office for the third time as Lesotho's Prime Minister at the 
Royal Palace following Lesotho's February 17 National Assembly 
election.  The ceremony was attended by High Court justices, 
members of the diplomatic corps, newly elected members of the 
National Assembly, senior civil servants, and LCD party 
supporters.  In his speech, Mosisili stressed that "peace and 
stability are fundamental ingredients for sustainable economic 
development and prosperity."  He expressed gratitude to 
religious leaders for instilling politicians with a spirit of 
tolerance and the IEC for creating free elections.  Mosisili 
also acknowledged the professionalism of Lesotho's security 
establishment during the election period.  He concluded by 
thanking both local and international NGOs for their 
contributions through training programs and their support to 
local organizations. 
 
 
 
¶3.  In a ceremony prior to the Prime Minister's inauguration, 
parliamentarians-elect were sworn-in to their new posts.  The 
ceremony was followed by a brief announcement on Radio Lesotho 
that Lesotho's 7th Parliament had assumed their positions.  ABC 
and BNP parliamentarians were conspicuously absent from the 
swearing-in and inauguration ceremonies.  Opposition parties did 
not give a full explanation of their absence, except to that 
they "were not invited" (which struck many observers as hollow 
as the session was announced in the mass media). 
 
 
 
------------------------------------------ 
 
ABC Leader Promises "Peaceful Mass Action" 
 
------------------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶4.  The ABC, a leading opposition party headed by former 
Communications Minister Thomas Thabane, held a well-attended 
rally in Maseru on February 25.  Local press estimated that more 
than 10,000 supporters and observers attended, as well as the 
leaders of opposition parties NIP, LWP, and BNP.  (NOTE: NIP is 
officially aligned with the governing LCD party; however, its 
leader, which opposed this alliance, continues his involvement 
in opposition activities.  END NOTE.)  Addressing his 
supporters, Thabane criticized the IEC for failing to address 
alleged LCD violations of electoral law and Lesotho's electoral 
"Code of Conduct".  Calling into question the independence of 
the IEC, he accused the IEC of passivity and non-responsiveness 
regarding a list of grievances presented by his party. 
 
 
 
¶5.  Regarding the swearing-in of newly elected members of the 
National Assembly, Thabane stated that he, BNP Leader General 
Lekhanya, and other opposition MPs-elect did not attend the 
ceremony as they were not officially invited.  He added that, to 
 
MASERU 00000093  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
their dismay, they were also not invited to attend a recent 
meeting of the Council of State, of which both political party 
leaders are members.  (NOTE:  This allegation has not been 
substantiated by other sources.  END NOTE.) 
 
 
 
¶6.  Thabane stated that a group of opposition parties would 
undertake unspecified "peaceful mass actions" in order to apply 
pressure on the IEC and other authorities to address their 
concerns.  He stressed that his supporters should avoid actions 
which may be seen or interpreted as violent.  The ABC leader 
also stated that ABC parliamentarians hope to be sworn-in on 
March 9 when the King officially convenes the 7th Parliament of 
Lesotho.  Thabane added that the ABC will use all legal means, 
including legal cases and parliamentary filibuster, to obstruct 
the legislative process until opposition concerns are addressed. 
 At the same rally, the leaders of the NIP and BNP criticized 
what they referred to as lawless LCD activities (a reference, in 
part, to the presence of LCD cabinet members at polling stations 
on Election Day). 
 
 
 
-------------------------- 
 
Can't Hide From the Issues 
 
-------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶7.  COMMENT:  The show of unity by leading opposition parties 
and the high turnout at the recent opposition rally may force 
Lesotho's still-forming new government to deal with complaints 
regarding the electoral process as their first order of 
business.  The Council of State is expected to meet on Wednesday 
(February 28) to discuss and bless the Prime Minister's list of 
cabinet and Senate appointments.  The swearing-in ceremony for 
the new cabinet and Senate is expected to take place on Friday, 
March 2, at the Royal Palace.  Now all eyes will turn to Thomas 
Thabane and other opposition leaders in anticipation of what 
form the pledged "peaceful mass actions" might take.  Radio and 
pamphlet announcements of work "stay-aways" have already been 
distributed in various cities.  Post has issued appropriate 
security announcements to local and U.S. staff as well as 
AmCits.  END COMMENT. 
PERRY