VZCZCXRO8116
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0290/01 2331140
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211140Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4326
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4757

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000290 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S AND INR/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV LT
SUBJECT: 2007 ELECTIONS DISPUTE:  POLITICAL DIALOGUE POSTPONED 
INDEFINITELY 
 
REF: A) MASERU 279  B) MASERU 269 C) 07 MASERU 223 AND PREVIOUS 
 
MASERU 00000290  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
------------ 
Summary 
------------ 
 
¶1.  Multi-party talks on the dispute over the allocation of 
proportional representation seats following the 2007 national 
elections began on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, as scheduled. 
The Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) Mediation Panel met with 
representatives of Lesotho's political parties at the United 
Nations Development Program (UNDP) conference hall in Maseru to 
resume the talks that started a fortnight ago.  The Independent 
Electoral Commission (IEC) was in attendance as were several 
ministers from the governing Lesotho Congress for Democracy 
(LCD): Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla, as well as Ministers 
of Foreign Affairs, Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs, 
Communications, Science and Technology, and the Minister in the 
Office of the Prime Minister.  The leader of the largest 
opposition party, the All Basotho Convention (ABC), was also 
present.  The talks concluded on Wednesday with no date set for 
the next session. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
------------------------ 
CCL Panel presides over smooth negotiations, but no progress made 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
------------------------ 
 
¶2.  The CCL Panel was made up of Archbishop Bernard Mohlalisi of 
the Roman Catholic Church; Bishop Phillip Mokuku of the Anglican 
Church; Reverend Mokhahlane and Reverend Sentle Nthabane of the 
Lesotho Evangelical Church; and Reverend Daniel Rafube of the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Talks were reported to have 
gone smoothly.  However, the two sides have different views 
about a High Court judgment pertaining to the case filed by 
Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP) in 2007 (reftel c), which is one 
of the central facets of the dispute.  [Comment:  These 
differing views will likely lead to another impasse in the 
negotiations.  End Comment.] 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
What will it take to get an agreement? 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶3.  The talks were open only to the stakeholders and the civil 
society organizations involved in the mediation process. 
According to the Lesotho Council of NGOs, the agenda for 
subsequent talks will focus on: 
 
- Reaching a common understanding on the interpretation of the 
judgment of the High Court in the case of MFP vs. the IEC. 
 
- Allocation of the Proportional Representation seats. 
 
- Status of the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition. 
 
¶4.  Since the discussion on the first agenda item was not 
finalized, the CCL mediation panel will hold talks with 
governing party and opposition parties and try to find common 
ground and the way forward.  The mediation panel advised 
political leaders to avoid making statements that may discourage 
the nation on the outcome of these talks -- including on 
progress that has been made so far.  They also requested the 
media to report responsibly on these issues.  The CCL concluded 
by appealing to Basotho to exercise patience while the talks are 
continuing and to pray to God for their success. 
 
¶5.  Some local analysts expressed fear that the current 
situation may lead to voter apathy in the local government 
elections scheduled for April 2010.  Opposition parties have 
already begun boycotting meetings convened by the IEC aimed at 
making preparations for the elections.  Rumors circulating in 
Maseru suggest opposition parties are planning to boycott the 
local government elections and the 2012 national elections if 
there is no progress in the political dialogue.  Opposition 
parties have also expressed discontent regarding the governing 
party's monopoly control of state television and radio. 
Unconfirmed reports say civil society organizations are planning 
to invite the local diplomatic corps to exert pressure on the 
GOL to engage in the talks in a more constructive manner. 
 
------------ 
Comment 
------------ 
 
¶6.  The political atmosphere is calm but tense.  It is too early 
to gauge the impact of the talks or offer a prognosis on their 
success or failure.  Local contacts from the NGOs involved in 
the mediation stressed that the "ball is in the governing 
party's court."  Our contacts agree that the outcome of the 
 
MASERU 00000290  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
talks depends on the manner in which the LCD conducts itself. 
They have also argued that the governing LCD can either reduce 
tensions by compromising, or exacerbate the situation by being 
intransigent.  There is no indication at this point that the LCD 
is considering any compromise. 
NOLAN