Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Mathibeli Mokhothu had again appealed to the public to throw their weight behind the ongoing reforms process. Mokhothu
said this week on Wednesday at ‘Manthabiseng Convention Center when officially closing the three days Security Sector Workshop of the Roadmap for Development of National Security Policy and
Strategy under the auspices of the National Reforms Authority (NRA). “It is important for every Mosotho to be involved in this document,” he charged. He
further mentioned that the document will come in handy when the proposed National Security Council has been established, promising that the efforts and
inputs made during these three days will not go to waste but will be helpful in building the security document policy framework. Mokhothu also urged the security institutions to work harmoniously, a move he argues
will ensure “smooth” journey of the reforms. The NRA Chairperson Chief Pelele Letsoela highlighted the security threats which confront the country- human trafficking, international organised crimes,
artificial intelligence and cybercrime. Letsoela went on to indicate that this is an opportune time for Lesotho to boast “flexible and adaptive” security policy.
Taking stock of the workshop, the Chairperson said it has been an “eye-opening” exercise. Section 8(1)(c) of the NRA Act says the authority should “propose and approve policy
documents, draft Bills and any legal instruments from the Chief Executive Officer as may be necessary for national reforms in line with resolutions and
decisions of Plenary II”. The DPM had on Monday highlighted that the issue of security is getting rather complex, from the traditional based security issues, to the new forms of security
challenges which include traditional organised crimes, human trafficking to artificial intelligence. Basotho had previously said they aspire for the establishment of a national security
coordination body like the National Security Council (NSC) which is to be chaired by the Prime Minister and the rollout program of enhanced capacity building and orientation of security personnel in order to “enhance
professionalism and public interest”. The security institutions have come under fire on numerous occasions for violating the civilians human rights. The
politicians have also been accused of politicizing the security institutions. To this effect, they have also come under attack for “causing” instability in
the country. It is expected that there will be a Technical Validation Workshop which will consolidate the results from this workshop so as to provide “shared vision” for
security as well as providing the recommendations on the way forward. NRA is a statutory organ established by the NRA Act No. 4, 2019. It is charged with
the mandate to “manage, coordinate and lead” reforms process guided by the National Multi-Stakeholder Plenary II document which contains the aspirations of the nation for the “Lesotho we
want”. The 59 member body is answerable to both houses of the Parliament. It is to implement reforms in seven thematic areas which are: Media, Constitution, Judiciary, Economy, Security, Parliament and Public Service reforms.
