Opposition errs on Letsola and reforms

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ohThe opposition must begin to seriously reflect on the role it plays in the country’s reform process.

They recently made it clear through their spokesperson Macheseta Mofomobe that they will not participate in the national reform process as long as the Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, remains in office.

This followed his infamous statement in October 2023 threatening MPs for delaying reforms. Lt. Gen. Letesola and then-Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli and National Security Service (NSS) Director General Philo Larencohen had urged MPs to complete the reform process and abandon the no-confidence motion to remove Prime Minister Sam Mateche. They vowed not to allow a change of government until the reforms were completed.

The fact that the security chiefs’ statements are false cannot be changed. We are all frustrated by the delay in reforms that we hope will bring stability to the stricken kingdom, create conditions for responsible governance and improve the lot of citizens. However, this does not give the security chiefs the right to intervene in civilian politics. The people of the country are united in condemning them.

Two security chiefs – Mr Molibeli and Mr Larenkoane – have left their posts after their contracts were not renewed. If they hoped to win the support of the Government and extend their terms, that was not possible. We recall congratulating Mr Matken for resisting the temptation to allow them to remain in office because they supported him.

WestWe are therefore perplexed that this issue persists and the opposition has been insisting that Lt. Gen. Lesola must be sacked before they can engage in reform. This argument no longer holds water. The opposition, bent on blocking reforms over the unfortunate but outdated statement of the Army Chief, must start some serious soul-searching. Are they trying to serve the Basotho or are they trying to play cheap politics?

First, these reforms have nothing to do with Major General Letsoela. They are for the good of the kingdom and all its citizens. The opposition wants Major General Letsoela to be theirs.Black BeastCompleting the reform process is not only untenable, but also an increasingly naive obstruction of an important national process.

To be clear, Lt. Gen. Letsola was not wrong to call for reforms to be completed. He leads one of the most important institutions in the country. The importance of completing reforms is known to everyone. The only thing wrong with Lt. Gen. Letsola’s remarks was his threat to prevent MPs from actually implementing a no-confidence motion. If he had simply urged politicians to complete the reform process, we would have supported him. After all, everyone, including His Majesty Letsola, said so. Reforms must be completed.

It is untenable for the opposition to continue to dwell on Lieutenant General Letsola’s statement to the detriment of the entire reform process.

Mofomobe, a spokesman for the opposition party opposed to the reforms, recently said: “Unless Letsola is removed from office, the environment for the reform process will remain unfavourable for reform.”

“We do want reforms, but the environment is not conducive. How can we pass reforms that will entrench Letsola’s behavior?

“How do you consolidate Ntomeng’s (Deputy Prime Minister Ntomeng Majara’s) interference in the judiciary through reforms? Ntomeng interferes in the affairs of the judiciary. I don’t understand what the ABC thinks about the violation of the constitution while we seek the supremacy of the constitution through reforms. That is their opinion and there is nothing wrong in them seeing it differently from us,” Mr Mofumobe said in response to the All Basotho Congress (ABC), which has since broken the deadlock and adopted a more nuanced approach to reforms.

oneIn a recent press release,ABC said it wouldThrough its spokesperson, Mphonyane Lebesa,The party saidIt is important to see the reform process, which was initiated by the 2017-2020 coalition government led by its founder and former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, completed and benefit the country.

“We will rise and fall with the reforms,” Mr Lebesa said.

“…We declare that we have been watching for reforms, supporting reforms, and correcting where things have been done poorly. We therefore pledge to support the bills before the National Assembly until they become law because this is the desire of all Basotho people, not just ABC supporters, so that the country can be peaceful, prosperous and stable.

“ABC MPs are committed and determined to support reform. MPs should work sincerely, honestly and based on public input…” Mr Lebesa said.

There is no doubt that this is a mature and responsible gesture taken by a party that has a stake in the country’s progress.
On the other hand, Mr. Mofomobe’s claim that the reforms will entrench the positions of the likes of General Letesola and Deputy Prime Minister Majara is both hollow and ridiculous. Rather, the reforms are meant to ensure that no one entrenches themselves in their positions. The reforms are meant to promote a transparent and accountable process for appointments to key state institutions that is merit-based and not based on nepotism.

If the spirit and purpose of the reforms is to keep people like Lt. Gen. Letsola in their place, then all the more reason for the opposition to get involved to ensure that does not happen.  

televisionThe main opposition Democratic Congress (DC) and its allies would do themselves a great service if they began to base their arguments on the substance and process of reform rather than on personal views. As the main opposition party with the second largest number of seats in Parliament, the DC has an important role to play on some reform issues that require an absolute majority. As the official opposition, the party can also promote the reform process through its contributions on substantive issues. The DC may also want to consider whether it should allow Mr. Mofumobe to speak on behalf of the coalition of parties opposed to reform. He is known for opposing everything the government does. Sometimes he is constructive, but many times he is destructive.

The reform process has been delayed unnecessarily. It was not imposed on Lesotho. It stems from a recognition that if we are to build a decent society where every citizen has a stake, we need to change the way we behave. Reform is not about Lt. Gen. Letesola or anyone else. Reform is about all Basotho.

The worst thing the opposition can do is to continue to play the role of spoiler. If there is any issue that politicians must unite on, it is the reform process because it is good for everyone.

We therefore commend the ABC for its nuanced stance, as announced by Mr Lebesa. Despite reports that some officials of the party may hold contrary views, we urge the party to maintain this responsible position.