Lesotho
Upcoming elections in Lesotho bring many gifts

Misanet.com / Mopheme, 8 May - Elections are held (or supposed to be held) every five years in Lesotho. The many people of Lestoho - the Basotho - especially those living below the poverty line, would have a big wish, that general polls would come to the country at least every year. The government suddenly seems to be caring about its subjects. 

There are more reasons for Basotho to be merry every time elections approach. One of those, is that, government plays Santa and distribute likeable presents to the surprise of everybody. It looks like the only time that government feels duty bound to deliver to the people, is when election time closes by, and politicians must do all in their power to get revoted into the seats.

The government of the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho this week finally decided to set aside Maloti 1.4 million (150,000 euro) to compensate people who died and whose properties were affected during the political upheavals of 1994 to 2001. The list of 18 people - 8 whose properties were affected and 10 who lost their lives - was released to the media by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Motsoahae Thabane, on Friday, 3 May. Further, the payment of Maloti 23.0 million (2.5 million euro) to those affected by the current severe food shortages was decided on this week. 

It would probably seem like an insult that the government of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) has finally 'discovered some sense' and are now feeling the sufferings of the people on the ground. One can only wonder how the next financial report would look like - or is it going to be another disclaimer? 

It is very good when the people's woes are heard, it is probably also okay, even if thepleas are heard late. But what is a bit disturbing, is the timing of delivery. Can we say the LCD government is trying to buy votes? Or, should we congratulate them for having at last managed to absorb the sense being knocked into their heads?

The offer to compensate those who lost lives, property and other things during the 1994 and 1998 political conflicts, is one of the most exciting things to have ever happened, but, why now and not at the time that the politicians were themselves carrying fat cheques home? 

It was also very commendable for government to find it fitting to write a cheque of Maloti 23.0 million (2.5 million euro) to meet the nation half-way in releasing the stress of hunger, food-shortage and poverty. We must also congratulate the LCD government for having realized after many months and years of pleas, that Maseru roads and roads in general needed some upgrading or a total reconstruction.

While all these come and are warmly welcome, the only thing that we can ask, is whether Basotho could so easily be bought, if that is buying votes. We believe in the democratic principles and would not go about saying who is better than who.... 

Spending justifyably in the name of the people is what we need from any government, but at the end of the day we need somebody to give proper accounting for the spending. The days of the honeymoon when politicins could spend and not be questioned, are over and we do not really believe handouts would do this nation any good. The people must be capacitated to do on their own and not be cornered into a political gimmick when the poll box approaches.

The poll box should and will remain the only way Basotho would exercise their right to choose, without any fear or undue interference of whatsoever, towards a stable, and prospering Lesotho.

Based on an editorial in Mopheme (Maseru, Lesotho)

 

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