As Lesotho continues to grapple with long-standing political instability, fragile governance structures, and social discontent, the question of whether the country needs a national dialogue has become increasingly urgent. Civil society groups, religious institutions, traditional leaders, and international observers have been calling for a broad-based conversation that goes beyond partisan interests. Many believe that only a national dialogue and an inclusive, transparent, and sustained engagement among all sectors of society can steer us toward a more peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future.
But what would such a dialogue entail? Why is it important now? And what are the potential benefits and pitfalls of embarking on this path? I explore these in the following article.
A History Marked by Instability
Lesotho’s post-independence history has been marred by political turmoil. From military coups in the 1980s to disputed elections and coalition collapses in recent decades, the country has struggled to achieve long-term political stability. The highly polarized political environment has often undermined state institutions, weakened the rule of law, and deepened public mistrust in governance. The high unemployment rate and stagnant to declining economic state of the nation and Basotho is an everyday pain many live with.
Despite the adoption of democratic frameworks and the involvement of international mediators such as the Southern African Development Community, Lesotho has not managed to consolidate its democracy. The much-celebrated multi-sectoral reforms process that began in 2017, under SADC facilitation, made some progress but was frequently derailed by political squabbles, leadership changes, and lack of consensus on key issues like the role of the military, judicial independence, and the powers of the prime minister.
Many observers argue that Lesotho’s problems are not merely political, economic or constitutional. They are deeply rooted in a lack of national cohesion, trust, and dialogue.
Understanding a National Dialogue
A national dialogue is a structured platform where all segments of society, government, opposition, traditional leaders, civil society, religious organizations, youth, women, and other marginalized groups, come together to discuss and resolve national issues. Unlike elite political negotiations that often exclude the general public, a national dialogues aims to be inclusive and participatory, offering a path to national healing, conflict resolution, and institutional reforms which could hopefully lead to economic prosperity.
Such dialogues have been successfully employed in countries like Tunisia, Kenya, South Africa (during the CODESA talks), and more recently, Sudan (though with mixed results). In each case, dialogue served as a mechanism to rebuild trust, realign national priorities, and set a new direction for governance.
Why Now?
Notwithstanding the fact that South Africa has this week revealed that it is having it’s national dialogue on the 15th August this year, several factors make 2025 a crucial moment for Lesotho to engage in a national dialogue:
Persistent Political Tensions: Despite the formation of a coalition government following the 2022 general elections, political tensions remain. Coalition fragility continues to hinder legislative progress and policy implementation.
Stalled Reforms: The national reforms agenda remains incomplete. Key areas such as security sector reform, judiciary independence, and governance structures require consensus-based decisions, which cannot be reached in polarized parliamentary settings alone.
Public Disillusionment: Citizens are increasingly frustrated by high unemployment, weak public services, corruption, and a perception that politicians serve their interests rather than the nation’s. A dialogue could help restore public confidence in governance.
Regional Pressure: With the SADC and African Union pushing for democratic consolidation and stability across the region, Lesotho risks isolation or intervention if it fails to demonstrate progress on key reforms. The international stance of the Trump Administration also has an impact on Lesotho firms and jobs.
Potential Benefits of a National Dialogue
1. Building Trust and National Unity
Dialogue offers a chance to rebuild trust between political actors, between the government and the people, and among other interested groups. It can help forge a sense of national identity and collective responsibility.
2. Creating Inclusive Governance
By bringing all stakeholders to the table, including youth, women, rural communities, and traditional authorities. A national dialogue can lead to governance structures that reflect the diversity and complexity of Lesotho’s society.
3. Consolidating Peace and Stability
Dialogue can help resolve underlying conflicts that often lead to political violence. It offers non-violent mechanisms for handling disputes and can prevent future crises by fostering a culture of negotiation.
4. Strengthening Institutions
By identifying gaps in institutional frameworks and recommending reforms, a dialogue process can result in stronger checks and balances, improved accountability, and more efficient service delivery.
5. Stimulating Economic Development
Political stability is a precondition for economic growth. Investors are wary of unstable environments. A successful national dialogue could pave the way for foreign direct investment, job creation, and poverty reduction.
6. Healing Historical Wounds
Lesotho has yet to fully address the trauma of past political violence, exile, and systemic marginalization. A truth-telling component of national dialogue akin to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission could promote healing and reconciliation.
Obstacles to Dialogue
Despite its potential, organizing a national dialogue is not without its challenges.
Political Will: If ruling elites see dialogue as a threat to their power, they may sabotage or resist the process.
Representation and Inclusion: Ensuring the dialogue is truly inclusive, not just a meeting of elites, is essential for legitimacy. This includes adequate representation of rural voices, youth, women, and disabled persons.
Implementation of Outcomes: Dialogues often produce recommendations that gather dust on government shelves. A binding mechanism and independent follow-up body are necessary to ensure that agreements translate into action.
The Road Ahead
For a national dialogue to succeed in Lesotho, it must be homegrown, inclusive, and backed by a firm commitment from all political players. Religious institutions, such as the Christian Council of Lesotho, and traditional leaders could play a critical role as neutral conveners. Regional bodies could provide technical support and legitimacy without dominating the process.
Ultimately, the citizens of Lesotho must own the process. A truly national dialogue is not about political horse-trading. It is about defining a shared vision for the country and charting a new path based on mutual respect, accountability, and the rule of law.
Lesotho stands at a crossroads. The choice is between continued political fragmentation or a collective journey toward unity and renewal. While a national dialogue is not a silver bullet, it is a vital step in addressing the root causes of instability and unlocking our full potential.
The time to act is now. The people of Lesotho deserve a future shaped not by conflict and division, but by dialogue, dignity, and development.
Your Voice Matters:
Should Lesotho hold a national dialogue? What issues should be on the agenda? Share your views by emailing abubacarjabbie99@gmail.com or joining the discussion on social media using #DialogueForLesotho
KHOTSO. PULA. NALA
BY ABUBACAR JABBIE