Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Lesotho expresses support for Mugabe

Lesotho expresses support for Mugabe
Zim Guardian / AFP Reporter
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:16:00 +0000

LESOTHO has come out and openly supported President Robert Mugabe and told foreign powers Wednesday to respect the sovereignty of states in the African region. Asked for his reaction to calls for sanctions on President Mugabe and members of his government, Pakalitha Mosisili, the Lesotho prime minister, said it was not for outsiders to decide on the legitimacy of a particular government. "It is high time countries and states respect the sovereignty of other countries," the Lesotho prime minister said.

"Whoever is saying it does not confer legitimacy on the government of Robert Mugabe, who is he or she to do that?"

His comments come after leaders of the group of eight industrialized nations rejected the legitimacy of President Mugabe's victory on June 27 and vowed to take "financial and other measures" against perpetrators of political violence.

Mosisili said that any government in Zimbabwe had to have the support of the armed forces.

"I don't care who rules Zimbabwe but he must be acceptable to the armed forces because he needs their support, but even they must respect the will of the people," he said.

Along with Zimbabwe, Lesotho is one of the 14 countries which make up the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).

Zim Guardian / AFP

Labels: ELECTIONS, LESOTHO, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:58 PM