Press Statement on the working visit to Namibia by the Leaders of the Coalition Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho

At the invitation of H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia and the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the leaders of the Coalition Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho paid a Working Visit to Windhoek, Namibia from 30th-31st July 2014.

The delegation of the Coalition Government comprised The Right Honourable The Prime Minister Dr. Motsoahae Thomas Thabane, leader of the All Basotho Convention (ABC); Hon. Mothetjoa Metsing, the Deputy Prime Minister, leader of Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD); and Hon. Joang Molapo, Minister of Home Affairs, representing the leader of the Basotho National Party (BNP). The Honourable Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, was part of the delegation.

H.E. President Pohamba was accompanied by the Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Foreign Affairs. H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, the Executive Secretary of SADC was also in attendance.

The working visit was a follow-up to the discussions that H.E. President Pohamba held with the three Lesotho Coalition Government partners in Maseru,the Kingdom of Lesotho, from 12-13 June 2014. The consultations were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.

The Coalition Government partners informed President Pohamba that since their last meeting in Maseru, considerable progress has been made towards ensuring the smooth functioning of the Coalition Government, which constitutes a first in the history of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The Coalition Government partners reaffirmed their commitment to move expeditiously to address any outstanding issues, with the aim to enable the coalition government to serve the best interest of the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

President Pohamba expressed his deep appreciation, on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to the Coalition Government partners for the leadership they have provided despite the current challenges. President Pohamba encouraged the Coalition Government partners to continue to work together in good faith, unity and harmony.

In return, the Coalition Government partners expressed their gratitude to H.E. President Pohamba for the sterling leadership he has provided as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and in particular for assisting the parties in the Coalition Government towards finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing them.

The Right Honourable The Prime Minister, Dr. Motsoahae Thomas Thabane, thanked, on behalf of the Coalition partners, H.E. President Pohamba, the Government and People of the Republic of Namibia for the warm hospitality extended to him, his partners and to the rest of the delegation.

31 July 2014
Windhoek, Namibia