The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs, Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa bid the UNDP Resident Representative, Mrs. Hodan Haji-Mohamud farewell and wished her a prosperous life in all her endeavors after she left Lesotho.

The ceremony was held at Maseru Sun on Thursday evening.

Mr. Tsekoa said during her two and a half years in office in Lesotho, Mrs. Mohamud has not only served as a diplomat, but as a pragmatic leader, a team builder and a sensitive tough negotiator, adding that parting with her is one of the difficult things as she has been regarded as a Mosotho.

'Having lived among Basotho and having shared and appreciated the challenges and aspirations of the people of Lesotho, we are confident that wherever she will be, she will remain the country's goodwill Ambassador,' the Minister said.

He further stated that it is a well known fact that UNDP has collaborated and worked closely with the government and all stakeholders in the politics of Lesotho on issues of cardinal importance to the nation particularly those that threatened peace and stability.

Mr. Tsekoa said UNDP has contributed immensely to the deepening of the culture of democracy, good governance, the rule of law, capacity building and socio-economic development in general in the country.

He further noted that UNDP was also in the forefront to collaborate with government in organizing and financing the post-electoral assessment mission as well as the mediation efforts of the former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire.

In response, Mrs. Hodan Haji-Mohamud said, it is gratifying to note the positive strides that the Government of Lesotho has made over the past three years to overcome the scourges of poverty, HIV/AIDS and other social deprivations.

'These valiant efforts have not escaped the attention of the international community and, increasingly, aid resources have flowed in to shore up the country's efforts,' she added.

She expressed gratitude to all those she worked with in the past two and half years saying it is her hope that they would continue working harder and harder for the betterment of Lesotho and Basotho.

Mrs. Haji-Mohamud has been relocated to New York, the Headquarters of the UN.

Source: LENA 20/09/2007