Maseru, Feb. 11 — The Kingdom of Lesotho has been elected to serve on the African Union Peace and Security Council, a development welcomed by Lesotho as both an honour and a solemn responsibility.
Commenting on the election, Ambassador Ntsiuoa Sekete said Lesotho is deeply honoured by the confidence placed on them by fellow Member States of the African Union.
“Our election to the Peace and Security Council is a responsibility we accept with humility, clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment to the principles of peace, dialogue and human dignity,” she said.
She emphasised that Lesotho’s engagement on the Council will be guided by a human-centred understanding of peace and security.
“For Lesotho, peace is not only the absence of conflict. It is the protection of children, the inclusion of women, the resilience of communities and the assurance that development and dignity underpin stability. These values will shape our contribution to the work of the Council,” she said.
She reaffirmed Lesotho’s commitment to African-led solutions and multilateral cooperation.
“As a small state, we firmly believe that size does not determine relevance. Lesotho will bring a principled, constructive, and bridge-building voice to the Council, in support of conflict prevention, mediation, post-conflict reconstruction and the rule of law across our continent,” she lamented.
She further emphasised Lesotho’s readiness to serve Africa collectively saying they are looking forward to working closely with fellow Council members in advancing Africa that is peacefu, resilient and united as well as true to the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility which defines their umion.
Meanwhile, Peace and Security Council is the standing decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. It is a collective security and early warning arrangement intended to facilitate timely and efficient responses to conflict.
It is a collective security and early warning arrangement intended to facilitate timely and efficient responses to conflict and crisis situations in Africa.
It is also the key pillar of the African Peace and Security Arcgitecture (APSA) which is the framework for promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.
Others who will serve a two-year term on the Council include DRC, Gabon, Uganda, Morocco, Somalia, South Africa, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone.
Ends/AT/tl
