Africa-Press – Lesotho. As the year is ending, the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela on Wednesday shared his vision for the new year 2026 where he stressed that he needs to lead the most formidable, efficient and effective defence force that is guided by grounding principle that govern the defence force.
This he said when addressing the army after completion of the end of year road march from Ha-Tikoe, Makoanyane barracks to Ratjomose barracks.
He said there are seven grounding principles of the LDF which he emphasised that all members of the army have to know saying for those who still do not know them, their superiors must teach them.
He said next week when they return to work they must come back energized. He also reminded and warned them that he needs active members who know their work saying those who do not know their role should realign themselves and introspect. He added that what is expected from the army members is to train each and every day.
On the other hand, he indicated that this is not a protest but a march in which they are displaying colour and reassuring the public of their presence saying they are present as LDF under one command, unified structure, one direction, one mission and one concept.
He said they are doing this to close the year and acknowledging God’s presence in their journey in 2025 through to 2026.
He commended those who organized the march and brought the army together. Therefore he urged them to celebrate the year end well and responsibly with friends and family so that they start the new year well.
Lesotho Defence Force consists of about 2,000 personnel and is tasked with maintaining internal security, territorial integrity, and defending the constitution of Lesotho.
The military was established in 1978. The Lesotho Defence Force participated in the military coup in 1986, internal conflicts in 1994 and 1998 and unrest in 2007.
Following the 1993 Lesotho general election, in August 1994, King Letsie III dissolved the newly elected parliament in a coup d’etat that was supported by the military.
On August 30, 2014, an alleged military coup took place, forcing then-Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to flee to South Africa for three days. A brief crisis occurred in September 2017 when Lieutenant General Khoantle Motsomotso (then-commander of the LDF) was assassinated by some junior officers, leading to an intervention by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In 2021, a LDF contingent was sent to Mozambique as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to assist the Mozambican government during the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. The contingent consequently took part in pro-government offensives from August 2021.
