GOOD AND SAD NEWS FOR AFRICA: While I am entrusted with a huge responsibility of leading Sub Saharan Africa to AGOA reauthorization negotiations in Washington DC from 19th to 23rd January 2015, I am saddened by a proclamation that the US President Barack Obama just promulgated yesterday 23 December 2015. While AGOA is in the Presidents heart to see Africa develop, the proclamation is suspending two African countries from eligibility to AGOA. These are The Gambia, for continuing human rights abuses and South Sudan for unending civil war. This will weaken my mission to the US. However, Guinea Bissau which was not listed to benefit from AGOA for many years has now been added to the Sub Saharan countries that now meet the eligibility requirements. Though we need to strive to uplift Lesothos economy in all areas from mining to commercial agriculture and food processing and create value chains, and avoid depending entirely on AGOA, the lesson we learn from chopping The Gambia and South Sudan from AGOA eligibility status by President Obama is a warning. What nearly happened on August 30th 2014 could have put us in the same sinking ship as The Gambia and South Sudan. I can only appeal to my countrymen that as I go to Washington on behalf of African Trade Ministers and on Behalf of Lesotho and Africa, we must keep peace in our hearts and respect the rule of law. Remember there is nothing wrong with coalitions collapsing. Some have collapsed in few months. Ours carried 2 and half years. Thats a plus. We will get it right next time. PLease make our mission for lobbying for renewal of AGOA in Washington succeed. It would frustrate me if while I lead an African Mission, my own country could find herself being stuck off from a list a eligible countries. So keep peace, rule of law and exercise restraint at all costs. Above all, continue praying.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:12:55 +0000
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