This has been a year of instability in the small kingdom of Lesotho. The situation has not been pleasant after the general elections held on the 28th February 2015 which resulted in seven political parties forming a coalition government. After the formation of the current government all seemed to be back on track for a few weeks only, thereafter people started receiving threats and the opposition leaders fled the country for the own safety.
The parliament was forced to close down in early July due to the absence of the opposition .the members of the army were held captive and accused of having plotted a mutiny to overthrow the government. The peak of all these happenings was when the former Lieutenant General of the army was gunned down in his home village by the members of the army. The late Lt. Gen. Maaparankoe Mahao’s brutal murder brought the SADC heads of states to form an investigating commission whose prime aim was to investigate on the murder. All these events have left many Basotho fearing for their safety especially the spouses of the detained army members.
On the 24th October 2015, a Peace Walk was organised by the APS, Action for Peace and Solidarity, this movement was formed to carry on the legacy of the late Lt. Gen. Sr.Maria Fatima KHOTLE, our own sister and the only religious attended this peace walk, and even had a chance to plant one of the forty seven trees indicating his age that we were planted in Mokema, the place where the brutal shooting took place.
We as the church in Lesotho are still concerned about the safety of the detained soldiers as a release warrant was issued but they are still in custody.
Sr. Maria Fatima when describing the events of the day said, “It was a peaceful walk indeed, nothing politically inclined but rather a prayerful and touching event”. she further explained that the peace movement had formed a memorial foundation in the honour of the late Lt. Gen, whose aim is to educate all orphans and needy children.
Yesterday, the 31st October, saw the opening of the parliament, with only the members of the ruling parties because the opposition leaders have sought refuge in the neighbouring country of Republic Of South Africa. Our country is still not stable and we continue praying for peace.