The Prime Minister, Mr Pakalitha Mosisili took oath of office and allegiance as Prime Minister of Lesotho, at the Setsoto Stadium on Tuesday. In his speech, after being sworn in as new Prime Minister of Lesotho, before King Letsie III and Queen 'Masenate Seeiso, Mr Mosisili said the past election has ushered in a new era of political accommodation and inclusiveness embodied in the new electoral model.
Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili reads his oath before the judges of the High Court of Lesotho
Mr. Mosisili whose party, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy won the
25 May,2002 election in a landslide, said it was his hope that the new
electoral model is and will continue to be pivotal to peace and stability,
not only for Lesotho, but for the rest of the continent. "It cannot be
over-emphasized that peace and stability are fundamental ingredients for
sustainable economic development and prosperity" he added.
The Prime Minister said peace and stability would have to be demonstrated in Parliament, adding that voters have given Lesotho a government, and by the same token have also given an opposition. He said there will be no need for a split to occur to create an opposition in Parliament, and added that the next government should be truly the King's government, and the opposition be the King's loyal opposition.
the new Prime Minister addressing the gathering after taking oath.
Congratulating Mr Mosisili for winning the elections was the President of
Malawi and Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Dr
Bakili Muluzi. In his remarks, President Muluzi said one of the interests of
the
international community, including the SADC region was whether the May 25
elections would be peaceful. Dr Muluzi thanked the Basotho nation for the
most peaceful and responsible manner in which they conducted themselves
during the electoral process.
SADC Chairman and President of Malawi delivering a speech at the ceremony.
The SADC Chairman also commended the opposition parties for eventually
accepting the outcome of the elections. "This is indeed highly
commendable and unique because opposition parties in Africa rarely accept
the election results immediately if the ruling party has won" he added.
Dr Muluzi said the conduct of elections in Lesotho is the shining example of
multiparty democracy in Africa, adding that the elections clearly showed
that democracy is taking root in Lesotho as well as in Southern Africa.
Present at the occasion, were the President of Botswana, President Festus
Mogae, Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, Vice President of
Zimbabwe, Mr Joseph Muzika, Foreign Minister of Mozambique, Dr Leonardo
Santos Simao and their delegations. The occasion was also attended by
opposition leaders in the names of Messrs Moeketse Malebo, Lekhetho Rakuoane,
Dr. Khauhelo Raditapole and Mr Hape Tsakatsi, members elected to the
National Assembly, senior government
officials, the public and school children.
06 JUNE 2002