PRIME Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro has warned leaders of different sectors across the country that they are not the exclusive owners or sole proprietors of the reform process

He was speaking on Friday at the end of the three-day stakeholders’ forum conducted by the National Reforms Authority (NRA) whose aim was to create an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and agree on issues as well as approaches to achieve sustainable peace, unity, healing and reconciliation.
Dr Majoro said the process belongs to every Mosotho down to the grassroots level, calling on all leaders to take what they had forged over the three days back to their constituencies and all the sectors they represent.
He said the national reforms terrain has been long, ardors and clouded by uncertainties and suspension, adding however, that every turn that the nation took and every mountain climbed in the journey have been worth it.
The forum, he said signified that their collective efforts were beginning to bear fruits.

“The ‘Lesotho we want’ can no longer remain a mere utopia as the forum has demonstrated the country’s thirst for peace,” he said.
He urged the participants not to forget their traditional peace building mechanisms as they move forward and where other nations have gained success in resolving crises.

He said they should not hesitate to take lessons learnt, tailor them to their context and resolve the country’s situation as the nation was founded on peace and unity.
He also acknowledged the international community and development partners for rallying behind the country throughout its journey of the reform process up to this point, even though the process is owned by Basotho.
He therefore urged the nation to take a positive attitude to conflict so that they do not fight against one another when conflicts arise.

He also commended stakeholders for their high attendance and phenomenal participation despite the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the same event, the European Union (EU) ambassador to Lesotho, Dr Christian Manahl said they have witnessed debate on Lesotho’s past, achievements and challenges in dealing with reforms process during the past three days.
He said the forum created a platform to allow segments of the society particularly victims to lay their grievances, adding that they noted how emotional the issues discussed were.
Dr Manahl emphasised the need for the country to recover from political instability as economic opportunities and investment were lost, adding that the high rate of unemployment and inequalities are the results of the instability.
He also urged the victims, political and social leaders to take the opportunity to show wisdom and understanding to compromise and move forward in a more cooperative manner as the future of the country is in their hands.