There seems to be no end in sight to wrangling between government and the opposition over the implementation of national reforms
As has been the case in recent months, the two are embroiled in a cat and mouse game, with each party accusing the other of political gamesmanship and deliberately frustrating the reforms.
The political and security reforms, which were midwifed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2016 to usher in a new era of stability in Lesotho, are a result of discussions between political parties, civil society and other role players.
The reforms were initially scheduled to be completed and effected in 2022 but they have been put on ice by a catalogue of circumstances such as perennial squabbles between their handlers, and court battles.
The implementation of the reforms was incumbent upon the operationalisation of the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution Bill of 2022. The Bill was tabled in the last parliament. After it was passed by parliament, a civil suit saw it overturned by the High Court of Lesotho.
The reforms continue to be clouded in uncertainty in the current 11th parliament and have become a tool for political expediency and grandstanding.
Even though Prime Minister Samuel Matekane promised to effectively forge ahead with the reforms when he came to power after the October 7 2022 polls, his government’s commitment to the process has now become a subject of debate.
We have one word for the government: the responsibility to deliver the reforms lies on you more than anyone else. You have to demonstrate leadership like Basotho have entrusted you to do. Any finger pointing on your part is tantamount to copping out.
You deliver the reforms or make way for someone who can. Governing is not for cry babies
