APA-Maseru (Lesotho) The Lesotho government has slammed as unfounded allegations a South African newspaper, City Press, made on 4 April that discussions were underway with South Africa about issuing South African Identity Documents to Lesotho citizens.
Addressing the official media in the capital Maseru on Thursday, the resident ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Masuhla Humphrey Leteka, said his Ministry condemned in the strongest terms possible, the irresponsible reporting, which threatens the very foundations of the cordial relations that exist between two sovereign and independent friendly states.
“The Ministry wishes to advise that I participated at the round table organised by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on Monday 29th March, and the visit to SAIIA was part of a series of dialogues where key African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) actors were invited to share their experience, insights and thoughts on the APRM, not about a critique of Lesotho, but rather to appreciate the transparent manner in which the Lesotho process was driven,” he said.
He said the forum did not discuss anything relating to issuance of ID documents to Lesotho citizens, and regional integration arrangement, since this is done within the African Union Continental Economic Architecture, where regional economic communities are the building blocs.
Leteka clarified that the sovereignty of Lesotho was not in doubt and Lesotho would remain an independent country.
The City Press Article said “Massive migration, abject poverty, decreased life expectancy and a growing HIV/Aids pandemic are threatening the existence of Lesotho as a state.
”Questions are now being asked in Lesotho and South Africa about the ‘value of Lesotho’s sovereignty’ and the need for it to be integrated into South ¬Africa economically, at least, and perhaps politically in the long run.”
”This can be derived from the latest findings by the ARPM, ¬endorsed by Lesotho’s governing council, adding that Leteka said discussions were under way with South Africa about issuing South African ID documents to Lesotho citizens and that consideration is also being given to the free movement of Basotho between South Africa and Lesotho as well as arrangements to give citizens of that country equal access to South African jobs,” the paper said.
The article further quoted Leteka as saying “These issues will be discussed with President Jacob Zuma in an upcoming state visit to Maseru.”
MBR/nm/APA
2010-04-09
