Lesotho | Latest Burning Issues

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LESOTHO TO ABANDON IT’S ARMY

Lesotho allocated USD$52.6 million (Maloti 698 million) to its military in 2017 – or 3.9% of government expenditure. This is a figure that has doubled in real terms since 2008.

- By any standards – and particularly for a country as impoverished as Lesotho – this is an indefensible amount of money.

- The case for demilitarising the tiny country of over 2.2 million is threefold.
- First, Lesotho’s military serves no significant security function. The country is completely surrounded by South Africa, one of Africa’s military superpowers that spends almost 70 times more on its military. It would easily overwhelm the Lesotho Defence Force, which has just 3000 soldiers.
- -Second, from its inception, the Lesotho military has interfered with democratic processes and engaged in human rights abuses. Historically, it has been used by the government to thwart political opposition. In 1986, of its own volition it staged a coup and took over political power. In April 1994, a group of soldiers took four government ministers hostage, and killed the deputy prime minister. And in August 2014, the military attempted another coup, but failed.
- Third, the country’s poverty levels and poor socio-economic indicators mean that government’s budgetary resources must be allocated with particular care. Almost 60% of its population earns less than USD$1.90 a day. At the same time, Lesotho ranks 159th of the 189 countries on the UNDP’s Human Development Index. There are five requirements, however, that seem necessary for a successful demilitarisation. These are:
- widespread acceptance by citizens,
willingness by political leaders to make the decision,
a detailed plan,
an implementing agency such as a ministry of peace, and
adequate financing. Financing demilitarisation
Compensating former soldiers is a necessary investment to successfully demilitarise.