Chairperson Receives Credentials of The New Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the AU
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 10, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, received in his office at the AUC Headquarters on Tuesday, 10 April 2012, the credentials of the new Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the African Union, H.E. Mr. Nyolosi Mphale.
Welcoming the new Permanent Representative, the Chairperson pledged his full support and that of the entire Commission to enable Ambassador Mphale accomplish his mission.
The Chairperson entreated the new Ambassador to transmit his warm greetings to His Majesty Letsie III, King of Lesotho, as well as to The Rt. Hon. Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister, Head of Government and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Chairperson fondly recalled his last visit to Lesotho, during which he met with King Letsie III and Prime Minister Mosisili, and seized the opportunity to renew to His Majesty the King, his profound gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during the visit.
“The African Union has excellent relations with Lesotho and the Kingdom of Lesotho is one of the most active AU Member States,” the Chairperson stated.
Dr. Ping further described Lesotho as “a beautiful country with a captivating landscape adorned by rolling hills,” adding that he was particularly impressed by the rich culture of the Lesotho People, especially their music and dance.
On his part, Ambassador Mphale thanked Chairperson Ping for his warm welcome and expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the African Union.
“We have been well received since our arrival here. I bring you warm, friendly greetings from His Majesty the King, as well as from our Prime Minister. We would like to assure you that Lesotho will continue to play an active role within the African Union and we hereby renew the commitment of Lesotho to the ideals of the Union,” Ambassador Mphale stated.
The new Ambassador further informed the Chairperson that Lesotho will hold general elections on the 26th of May 2012, and as required by the law, Parliament had already been dissolved ahead of the polls.
The Chairperson assured the Ambassador of the full support of the AU and indicated that the Commission will send an Election Observation Mission to Lesotho. He expressed the hope that the upcoming elections will be free, fair and peaceful.
Both personalities exchanged views on issues of mutual interest on the Continent, especially the situation in Mali, as well as the untimely demise last week of the President of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika and preparations for the 19th AU Summit scheduled to take place in Lilongwe in July 2012.
Ambassador Mphale commended the African Union for its swift and firm reaction to the recent coup d'état in Mali and pledged the full support of his country to international efforts to restore constitutional legality in Mali and help resolve the armed conflict in the country's northern region.