Maseru
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpotjoane, provided clarity on the Government of Lesotho’s stance regarding land captured by the United Kingdom during the colonial era.
During a press conference on February 10, the his address touched on recent developments related to this issue, which has attracted significant public interest.
Mpotjoane explained that the issue was brought to the forefront following Dr. Ts’epo Lipholo, a member of the opposition party, who traveled to New York with a petition intended for submission to the United Nations.
The petition, along with his claims on the land, prompted the minister to address the matter publicly.
“The Government of Lesotho acknowledges that the land in question was captured during the colonial era,” Mpotjoane stated, referencing a United Nations resolution from 1962 that supports this position.
He also mentioned Dr. Lipholo’s past motion in Parliament, which sought to declare new borders including parts of Free State and Eastern Cape, but was not supported by Parliament due to concerns over potential repercussions.
“None of Dr. Lipholo’s allies in the opposition supported his motion,” Mpotjoane noted.
“We had warned him about the possible dangers of this approach, but he did not heed our advice. If this matter is not handled with care, it could lead to the loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and economic instability, much like the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.”
The minister further explained that the issue had been raised during the National Dialogue, with the Basotho people requesting that it be dealt with through National Reforms.
Mpotjoane expressed dissatisfaction with Dr. Lipholo’s unilateral actions, specifically his trip to the United States and the petition he presented, stating that the Government of Lesotho did not authorize his actions. “Dr.
Lipholo took this step in his individual capacity, without any official letter of authority from the government,” Mpotjoane clarified.
Addressing the contents of the petition, Mpotjoana pointed out several issues, particularly Section 4, which calls for the United Nations to recognize the captured land as a sovereign state to be handed over to Dr. Lipholo and his shadow cabinet.
The minister emphasized that this request contradicted the UN resolution of 1962, which does not support such a claim.
In concluding the press conference, Mpotjoane outlined the government’s diplomatic approach to resolving the issue. He emphasized the need for a joint agreement between both parties and the United Nations.
“To solve this, all parties must work together and reach a mutual understanding,” he stated.
Among the measures already taken by the government, Mpotjoane highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, strengthening migration models, bilateral agreements, and National Reforms to ensure that this matter is addressed in a way that benefits the country and its people.
