The United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan has commended Lesotho for elections that were described by national and international observers as transparent, free, fair, and lawful, saying that is a real sign of hope for the future of Lesotho and the entire region. Addressing two houses of Parliament, Mr Annan applauded the partnership that helped make that achievement possible, which brought together the government, the Interim Political Authority and Independent Electoral Commission, donors and the United Nations.
                                                                             

Mr Annan adressing Members of the 6th  Parliament of Lesotho. (pic. M.Kheleli) 

He expressed hope that all partners will continue to work to deepen democratic governance in Lesotho by strengthening democracy within political parties, by promoting constructive engagement through the tools the parliamentary system offer them. He said parliamentarians have tremendous responsibilities as they must give
voice to the needs, hope and aspirations of Lesotho's people. 'As their elected representatives, you have a vital role to play in strengthening democracy and creating the kind of enabling environment needed to bring out the energy and creativity of the men and women you represent".

Mr Annan said as the election process has passed, there is a chance for real advancement in the country's consultative processes aimed as reducing poverty. The secretary general said the United Nations family, particularly the UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank are here to support Lesotho. He applauded the government for its contribution in building the UN house and thereby showing a real commitment in working closely with the UN family on an enduring basis.

In the face of the food crisis threatening Lesotho, he said, a pressing challenge is devising strategies for securing national as well as household food security. He added that the UN is committed to working with Lesotho in the process in addition to the assistance that the UN is already providing to alleviate the immediate crisis. Mr. Annan commended Lesotho for free basic education for all, which guarantees children in the first four grades a place at school. He added that it is hope that the government will meet its goal of providing education to all of Lesotho's children by 2008.

The secretary general said education and the empowerment of women are both essential and indispensable in the work to reach yet another of the Millennium Development goals - halting the spread of HIV\AIDS. Mr Annan said experts now agree that HIV\AIDS is the worst pandemic humanity has ever faced and has spread further, faster and with more catastrophic long-term effects that any other disease, particularly in Africa.
                                          

Mr Annan spared a moment to the children of Masianokeng after the inaugration of the Kofi Annan Road at Masianokeng. (pic. M.Kheleli)

                              
He said in Lesotho, the work to fight AIDS cannot wait, considering that almost one in five children has lost one or both parents to HIV\AIDS, and that more than 30 percent of the population between 15 and 49 are estimated to be HIV positive. He said if all meet the challenge of fighting AIDS, they can succeed in their efforts to build a humane, healthy and equitable Africa.

He is in Lesotho in transit to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which started at Sandton in South Africa on Monday this week, and
ends on Wednesday next week. His wife, Nane Annan is accompanying him. 

28 August,2002