The Christian Council of Lesotho is disappointed that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have not signed a Pledge to accept the results of the June 3rd poll, and those other prominent leaders don’t take the pledge seriously.
Fourteen of 30 registered parties signed the pledge brokered by churches and supported by the United Nations.
The Pledge to accept the outcome of election has become tradition in Lesotho and it is driven by the Christian Council of Lesotho, a multi denominational body consisting of all churches.
Bishop Mallane Taaso of the Anglican Church says its aim is to ensure post-election stability.
“Look how good it is when brothers and sisters live in unity.”
The United Nations is a constant observer of governance and elections in Lesotho.
It has supported the Christian Council to convene this meeting; it has also supported the Independent Electoral Commission with expertise towards a free and fair election.
Christy Ahenkora acting UN resident coordinator says the U.N.at the request of the IEC deployed a senior advisor to look at areas that may undermine the credibility of the elections.
Of the 30 registered parties only 14 signed the Pledge and of the 4 biggest parties only the opposition All Basotho Convention was represented by its leader and former Prime Minister Tom Thabane.
The Deputy Leader of Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing’s Lesotho Congress for Democracy Tseliso Mokhosi signed but late.
Khosi Makubakube is the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Lesotho says it creates a serious concern for them as Christian Council of Lesotho.
“In 2012 they were there in 2015 they were there the leaders of these parties and they participated in this kind of initiative.
This time last week we met for the first time they sent apologies, this time they were unable to send apologies but they did not show up so I don’t know the message that they’re sending to the nation because it should be a national effort to ensure a safe environment for the elections and to ensure that there will be acceptance of the outcome of elections.”
The other parties that signed the Pledge include the Basotho National Party, the Reformed Congress of Lesotho and the Movement for Economic Change.
Dr Motloheloa Phooko Deputy leader of the Reformed Congress of Lesotho says they are not discouraged by the absence of the bigger parties with mixed reactions.
“It’s of great concern because these are parties in government; they are the parties that are notorious for rejecting whatever agreements they have made.”
Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane the leader of the popular Front for Democracy says the absence of the leaders of the big parties shouldn’t cause alarm.
“I am not worried; I know it might worry people who don’t have the facts.”
The Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Democratic Congress and Minister of Communications Serialong Qoo says invitations to the signing of the Pledge did not reach the party on time, but DC is committed to accept the outcome of free and fair election.
– By Nthakoana Ngatane
