Africa-Press – Lesotho. The 4*4 coalition government has been disbanded in the National Assembly (NA). The Speaker of the National Assembly Sephiri Motanyane read the letters of the All Basotho Convention (ABC) parliamentarians’ intentions to form a new coalition and withdraw from the existing one. Last week Friday, the ABC attempt to form the new coalition with Democratic Congress (DC) did not see the light of the day as the Speaker raised concerns over the move saying their letters do not state anything about the existing agreement with the sitting coalition.
I am here to guide you to do things procedurally” said the Speaker on Friday without ruling out their prospects of new government.
Naturally there must be a termination over the agreement,” he charged adding that once the concerns he raised have been cleared he will make a ruling. Later that day after the adjournment of the house, the ABC and DC convened a press conference where they presented the parties that have joined their alliance.
The parties which were presented were: Basotho National Party (BNP), Basotho Congress Party (BCP), Movement for Economic Change (MEC), National Independent Party (NIP), Popular Front for Democracy (PFD), Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL) and Democratic Party of Lesotho (DPL) They further mentioned that ABC MPs will fill the gaps on objections raised by the Speaker.
On Monday Motanyane read the letters of the ABC, BNP and RCL terminating their membership from the current administration as well as the letters of intention to join new coalition. After verifying the termination of the current coalition, he told the august house that he will inform His Majesty King Letsie III and the Council of State about the disassembling of the sitting government and the intentions to form a new one.
He also read a letter of Alliance of Democrats (AD) stating their support for the incoming coalition. However, it is not clear if AD will be part of the coalition as they have since requested to be opted in. It follows that all parties in the National Assembly will form the coalition except the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) which remains the opposition.
Chief Thesele ‘Maseribane, the leader of BNP then rose to propose the adjournment of the house to facilitate the transition of the new government and was seconded by Advocate Lekhetho Rakuane, PFD leader. On adjourning the house the Speaker told the parties to come with the coalition agreement and the name for their coalition government.
ABC Chairperson Tsoinyane Rapapa said that Prime Minister (PM) Thomas Thabane will remain an acting until when the parliament reconvene saying the position will not remain vacant. He further said that he may hold the fort until the incoming PM has been nominated. Addressing the reporters on the sidelines, Chief ‘Maseribane echoed similar sentiments that the incumbent PM may remain while preparations are underway for the incoming. He also said the Ministers now await sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers which will notify them of dissolution of government adding that they will no longer make decisions in their portfolios.
It is not yet known who is going to be the next Prime Minister.
The ABC had elected Dr Moeketsi Majoro to be the Prime Minister of the new coalition with the DC. Meanwhile, Thabane had on several occasions stated his intentions to vacate office. The incoming Prime Minister is expected to be unveiled on May 22 when the house resume.
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