Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – June 19, 2024
Joshua Setipa, Lesotho’s candidate for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, is on a diplomatic offensive to secure African backing for his bid. Last night in Addis Ababa, Setipa addressed a gathering of African and Commonwealth ambassadors. He emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the African Union (AU) and the Commonwealth in his speech.
“I’m grateful to Her Excellency Ntsiuoa oa Thatolla Sekete, Lesotho’s AU Ambassador to Ethiopia, for her leadership in facilitating this meeting,” said Setipa.
Setipa also met with Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Ambassador to the AU, earlier today. Their discussion focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the African Union.
“It was a pleasure to catch up with my friend, Ambassador Diendéré,” Setipa said in a tweet.
Setipa’s campaign has already taken him to the Pacific Islands. Last week, he met with Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga, alongside Lesotho’s Foreign Minister Lejone Mpotjoane. Minister Mpotjoane formally presented Setipa’s candidacy for Secretary-General to the Tongan government.
“We were warmly received by Prime Minister Sovaleni in Nuku’alofa,” Setipa said. “This is a significant step in my campaign.”
