Africa-Press – Lesotho. France is one of the founding members of the European Union (EU) and has through the EU supported Lesotho in many projects ranging from clean energy, water, good governance and advancing the dispensation of justice by funding judiciary activities.
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recently caught up with the French Ambassador for Lesotho, Malawi and South Africa Aurélien Lechevallier to reflect and take stock of the bilateral relations between the
two nations. Lesotho also does not have a diplomatic presence in France but pursues her diplomatic relations with the French through her Berlin Embassy in Germany.
Likewise, France serves Lesotho through its Pretoria Embassy in neighbouring South Africa. The Alliance Française de Maseru is a linguistic and cultural exchange bridge
between the two countries – France and Lesotho. This French organisation offers opportunities for Basotho to learn the French language and works in collaboration
with local institutions and government entities like the Ministry of Education and Training and the National University of Lesotho (NUL). Lesotho-France
had enjoyed relations since the times of King Moshoeshoe I, having introduced the protestant religious faith in the country. 2007 witnessed King Letsie III
visit France for Africa-France Summit and also the Monarch attended the COP 21 in 2015. The French Ambassador said Lesotho has the potential to exploit energy.
“Energy as you know is the future. Lesotho has a great potential for cleaner, greener
energy, wind, solar and hydropower,” he noted. He added: “Lesotho should be one of the energy producers through water in the 21st Century and this is a field where there is a lot to learn from each
other. ” Lechevallier said to explore this endeavour, the country could benefit from French expertise. As the country is approaching elections later this year, the Ambassador underscored
the importance of participation in this democratic process of electing a new government. “We need to encourage the turnout; the participation, especially from the young
people,” he said. He further stated: “It is important to vote. You have the opportunity to participate in the democratic life. ” Coincidentally, France will this month hold the Presidential elections on April 10 for the
first round and the runoff between two top candidates is slated for April 24. The Ambassador highlighted that the message to encourage voting need to be hammered
to the populace, in particular young people. “Go and vote, you must be responsible for your future and political responsibility,” he stressed. He also
made mention that media should play a critical role to provide people with “good high-quality information”. “In a good democracy we need to know the facts,” he said adding that dialogue with
the civil society is important, arguing that the life of democracy does not only revolve around politicians but different stakeholders. The French Ambassador went to town about the exclusive participation of everyone
within the democratic dispensation. He noted that there ought to be a robust engagement of civil society organisations (CSOs). For her part, Director of Alliance Francaise de Maseru and Honorary Consul of France in
Lesotho Jennifer Audebert said through learning French at the center, those who are advanced with the language have the opportunity to apply through the
Embassy for scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies either in France and sometimes Canada. She said Alliance Francaise is open to everyone and there are classes for small
kids to study French. “We are the cultural and multicultural center,” she said. Audebert said they want to walk closely with the Ministry of Education and Training,
adding that they also serve as an examination of the French. They facilitate the examinations of French DELF and DALF certificates. Many Basotho have pursued their postgraduate studies in France and there are some job opportunities linked to this language. The government of Lesotho has introduced French subject in schools.
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