The Mozambique High Commissioner to Lesotho, Mr. Hipolito Patricio, presented hi letters of credence to King Letsie III at the Royal Palace on Thursday. In accepting his credentials, King indicated that Lesotho and Mozambique share common membership at regional and international organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU), the Non Aligned movement (NAM), the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

The king added that it would therefore be prudent that the two countries hold consultations to develop common positions as way of maximizing the benefits accruing to the people. He indicated that as the people of Mozambique prepare themselves for their second municipal elections next month as well as the holding of the third Presidential and legislative elections next year. Lesotho, he said extends best wishes for the holding of general elections, in which the sovereign-will of the Mozambican people to elect a government of their choice will be exercised and respected.

King indicated that now that Lesotho has taken the mantle of the Chairmanship of the SADC Organ on politics, defense and security cooperation from Mozambique, Basotho will always look up to and treasure whatever guidance Mozambique can offer as they execute the challenging mandate of the organ. "We wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate Mozambique for assuming the Chairmanship of the African Union following the successful hosting of the 2nd African Union Summit in Maputo this year.

We are confident that under the able leadership of President Chissano, our continental organization will be able to realize its vision aimed at promoting peace, security and stability on the continent" King said. The King noted that he is equally convinced that the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) namely poverty reduction, active participation of Africa in world economy and placement of African countries, both individually and collectively on path of sustainable development will be attained.

Presenting the letters of credence, the High Commissioner of Mozambique to Lesotho Mr. Hipolito  Patricio uttered that the growing cooperation between Mozambique and Lesotho as well as jointly belonging to the same sub regional organization SADC, will allow the two to take effective implementation of the African Union agenda and priorities. He said all people in Mozambique are preparing to freely participate in the coming election, adding that the elections take place as part of the process for the consolidation of the multiparty democracy.

He further revealed that in the context of peace and stability, Mozambicans are deeply involved in implementation of Five years government economies and social programme, aimed at reducing absolute poverty that still affects the majority of people. He however, acknowledged that as Mozambicans, they believe their path is brilliant and there is reason to be optimistic in fulfilling their duty as active partners in the materialization of the UN Millennium Declaration and also the global agenda of the mankind in this known African Millennium.

30 October 2003