Lesotho: Pakalitha Mosisili sworn in as prime minister

Lesotho’s Pakalitha Mosisili was sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday, two weeks after he formed a coalition government that neighboring South Africa hopes will bring stability after nearly a year of political uncertainty.

Mosisili’s Democratic Congress (DC) ousted former leader Thomas Thabane’s All Basotho Congress (ABC) by uniting with smaller parties, forming Lesotho’s second consecutive coalition government after the February 28 election produced no clear winner.

The election had to be brought forward by nearly two years after Thabane briefly left the country in August last year.

Thabane told thousands of people at the national stadium during Mosisili’s inauguration that he had accepted defeat and it was time to end hostilities.

“Let us all hold hands and support the new government, serve the people of this country, and let’s all work towards attaining peace, stability and security,” Thabane said.

Mosisili had earlier told the crowds that he would push ahead with reforms, fix crumbling infrastructure and improve social welfare. “All that there is to be done is to work towards the economic growth of the country,” he said.

South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has acted as mediator throughout Lesotho’s latest political turmoil.

Source: Reuters