Lesotho is actively campaigning for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General, putting forth Mr. Joshua Phoho Setipa as their candidate. The Lesotho Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations detailed their efforts in a recent press release.
On May 13th, 2024, Lesotho’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted a luncheon for representatives of Commonwealth member countries. This event followed a meeting held earlier the same day at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN. During this meeting, Foreign Minister Hon. Lejone Mpotjoana presented Mr. Setipa’s candidacy to African member states in New York.
Setipa addressed the attendees, outlining his priorities and vision for the Commonwealth. This meeting served as a valuable opportunity for African nations to engage with Lesotho’s candidate, who also holds the backing of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which was concretised by SADC Council of Ministers in a recent statement stating the endorsement for Mr. Setipa as their regional representative for the Commonwealth Secretary-General position.
Lesotho’s campaign efforts extend beyond Africa. Mr. Setipa recently visited the Bahamas, where Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Nthomeng Majara met with the Acting Prime Minister. During this bilateral meeting, Majara presented Mr. Setipa as Lesotho and SADC’s candidate for the upcoming Commonwealth Secretary-General elections scheduled for October 2024 in Samoa.
