PM launches Lesotho reforms
The new Lesotho reforms programme that has since been in the pipe-line for a while was launched by the Prime Minister Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili in Maseru on Monday.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Mosisili said the reforms programme is an event of monumental significance in Lesotho’s history and national development.
It is a departure from dealing with the usual pressing problems and constant source of concern like hunger, poverty, unemployment, incurable diseases and rising statistics of crime and this he said are symptoms of institutional flaws that characterise the foundations of Lesotho’s system of governance.
He exemplified with the national constitution which he said falls short of contemporary requirement of governance and hence in the past failed to respond to challenges of constitutional impasse, paralysis in the smooth running of parliament, failure of service delivery in courts of law, and other branches of government.
He said there is also lack of clarity regarding jurisdictional responsibilities and operational complementarities between or among key security institutions such as the army, police, national intelligence service and correctional services.
This, he said will be solved once and for all if people cooperate to make it a success. He said the reforms form part of the coalition agreement hence it has always been the government’s priority to make amendments to the national constitution.
“As we undertake the reformed programme, we will further refine mixed member proportional representation (MMP) electoral system so as to allow for greater representation of political parties and for greater accountability of parliament to the people,” PM said.
The constitution will be grafted in a way that will regulate the formation of coalition governance that ensures peace and stability and above all respect for the electorate.
“In 50 years the country has had three different national flags and that attests to the turbulence that the country has experienced. The present constitution is not the constitution with which we came into independence, it is the 2nd constitution and now as we embark on the process of constitution building it will be the 3rd,” he explained.
He said this is evident enough that there is need to re-visit the reforms for the betterment of the country, and to achieve all this he said the government has organised a full time Ministers’ committee that will be led by the Prime Minister himself, Principal Secretaries’ committee led by Government Secretary and the Lesotho reforms programme secretariat that will monitor the process on a daily basis.
He said the government has already put in place a roadmap which will help and guide everyone, and it is believed that it will fast-track the process.
As a follow-up on this national development, the Prime Minister said there will also be a Multi-stakeholder consultative conference where all sectors will be invited to view and learn the roadmap and reach a way forward.
This conference he said will include the Courts, Political parties, Churches, Non-Governmental Organisations, Experts and he invited all citizens to actively and robustly participate in this endeavour.
On the same note, on behalf of SADC Oversight Committee, Mr. Justice Frederick Werema said the reforms will not only benefit the country in many ways but will also ensure political stability and security.
However, he said it will be a huge step and turning point for the country at large hence Lesotho needs to be very careful as it embarks in this process. He said Basotho should unite to ensure the reforms are successful.
Mr. Werema said change has effect, and needs everyone to be ready to counter the resistance indicating that people must be educated in order to move together and focus on the mission.
“Reforms must be inclusive, no one should be left out, consider gender positively because it matters”, he said.
He further stated that media is also very important and government should take it on board in order to educate people, and most importantly should open doors of information and avoid being secretive.
The reforms programme is part of the coalition government which puts the national constitution as a priority for amendment for the benefit of the country.
