Lesotho King to lead peace march

Lesotho's King Letsie III and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili will on Friday lead the nation in a peace march in the capital Maseru, marking the African Union's declaration of 2010 as a year of peace, stability and security.

The initiative was announced in the National Assembly by Foreign Minister Mohlabi Tsekoa, who said it was a follow-up to the 2009 Tripoli Declaration. African heads of state declared 2010 the year of peace in the document.

Opposition parties have, however, snubbed the call for a national peace march, dismissing it as a hypocritical publicity stunt.

The opposition argues the proposed march was not initiated in good faith to serve the interests of the country.

Major opposition All Basotho Convention has already indicated it will not be part of the march and will dissuade its membership from attending. It says there cannot be genuine peace in the country when the government fails to consult the opposition to solicit views on ways to foster peace in Lesotho.

Former ruling Basotho National Party and the Popular Front for Democracy have added to the voice of discontentment, distancing themselves from the planned march.

The Tripoli Declaration encouraged African governments to explore and develop new policies to secure peace and stability in their countries.

Source: Xinhua