adc girds for Lesotho polls
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The Ministerial Troika of the Organ met with political stakeholders, as is the tradition and practice of SADC to support any Member State that is holding elections in conformity with the SADC Principles and Guidelines governing Democratic Elections.
The consultative meetings were chaired by the Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO), Hon. Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro (MP), and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Troika delegation included Hon. Marco Hausiku (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia. The Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz A. Salomao and Senior Officials from Troika Member States also a ttended the consultations.
During the consultative meetings the Chairperson of the Ministerial Troika of the Organ stressed the need and urgency for all political stakeholders to commit themselves to the electoral process for the betterment of the country and its citizens as well as for regional stability.
The Ministerial Troika of the Organ met with members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho: from the People's Republic of China, France, Libya, South Africa, United States of America, the EU Head of delegation and UN System Representative. Members of the Diplomatic Corps expressed their wish to see free, fair and transparent 2007 elections that would usher the country into another era of peace and stability, required for social and economic development. They furthermore expressed their commitment and support to the process leading to the elections.
In a separate event, the Ministerial Troika of the Organ met with leaders and representatives of the Political Parties participating in the February 2007 elections. The leaders and representatives of political parties expressed their commitment and desire to see the country conducting peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections in accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines governing Democratic Elections. Issues of concern relating to the registration process, funding of the campaign, access to public media, communication among others, were raised. Further, they urged SADC to deploy its Observer Mission timely in order to observe the whole electoral process.
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Lesao Lehohla on behalf of the Right Hon. Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili met the Ministerial Troika of the Organ delegation. He assured the Ministerial Troika of the Organ the commitment of the Government of Lesotho to ensure that there is a conducive environment for holding free and fair elections. The Deputy Prime Minister also appreciated the support being rendered by SADC in this process.
The Ministerial Troika of the Organ also had an opportunity to meet representatives and leaders of the Civil Society and members of the Lesotho Council of Churches. The representatives appreciated the positive step taken by SADC to convene the consultative meetings with the stakeholders in the electoral process. They also emphasized the need for transparent, free and fair elections. The Ministerial Troika of the Organ urged them to continue being positive and supportive to the whole electoral process.
The Ministerial Troika of the Organ also met the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Honourable Leshele Thoahlane and members of the Commission. The Chairperson of the IEC gave a brief on the ongoing electoral process. The Chairperson of IEC assured the Troika that they were committed to completing all preparatory arrangements in time before the elections on the 17th February 2007.
The Ministerial Troika of the Organ in their concluding remarks assured all key stakeholders that they have had a clear picture of the political situation in the country and the status of the electoral process. They further encouraged all the stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, religious groups, NGOs and the Basotho people at large to commit themselves to the electoral process and make these elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho a success.
The Ministerial Troika of the Organ assured the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho of the SADC continued support in this period of the electoral process. ' SADC.
