Quiet mediation deepening democratic values in Lesotho

Blogger.

Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie.

While much has been made of the political tensions that are said to divide the country, quiet mediation and dialogue over recent months signals tangible progress of which all Basotho can be proud.

Over the last eighteen months, the Heads of Churches (a non-partisan coalition made up of the leaders of all the major Christian denominations in Lesotho), have worked as impartial mediators with diligent dedication to bridge the gap between the political parties and bring the nations’ politicians closer together.

The leaders from all the political parties have, for their part—and to their credit—worked in a spirit of good faith to reach broad consensus on the key challenges posed by the electoral laws that emerged from the last elections.

A real breakthrough came in March of this year, where, following talks that were brokered by the Heads of Churches; with the support of the UN, the parties agreed to preserve the Mixed Member Proportional system of voting adopted by all parties in 2002, while ruling out any possibility of electoral alliances.

In addition, all parties from across the political spectrum agreed to implement a simplified electoral ballot that requires each voter to vote only once.   Each ballot is however, counted twice, once for the constituency vote and once for the compensatory vote.

Since then, this agreement—and other important improvements to the electoral laws—have culminated in the Electoral Reform Act of 2011 that was approved by Parliament and signed His Majesty, King Letsie III last month.   This, in turn, has enabled the Independent Electoral Commission, the IEC, to step up the pace of its preparations for the upcoming elections.

This achievement is testament to the importance of broad consensus building dialogue in advancing Lesotho’s long-term development goals. No nation achieves a smoothly functioning democracy in a year or even a decade. However, steps that have been taken this year are a credit to all; and serve to strengthen the still youthful electoral system in Lesotho.

The reappearance of the Heads of Churches as an impartial mediating force supporting democratic values deserves special note. The best resources for addressing critical national issues in Lesotho, as in any other country, must be found among the people of Lesotho.

As we build upon this success and look towards the October 1 2011 Local Government polls  and national elections in the new year, there is reason to be optimistic. The dialogue and quiet mediation that have served the nation well in recent months can serve as models for addressing future challenges. The benefits of such collaboration are huge.  Economic and social development requires stability and the cooperation of many, to advance.

Lesotho has made important commitments to its own people and to the international community in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  Continuing real dialogue and cooperation among political leaders is essential if they are to be achieved.

While progress to date remains mixed, there remain substantial opportunities for real progress.  The equal representation of men and women in the upcoming electoral ballot, by example, is an achievable target that deserves further discussion; in efforts to achieve MDG4: Gender Equality.

The United Nations in Lesotho stands ready to support the nation in this and other important goals that seek to improve the lives of all Basotho people.

 

Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho.

 

This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform

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