Lesotho: SADC Mission's Budget facing USD 1.6 million deficit

Maseru, ANGOLA, January 29 - SADC's Mission Budget for the Kingdom of Lesotho (SAPMIL), led by Angola, currently faces a 1.6 million US dollars deficit, an amount necessary for the successful accomplishment of its mandate.,

This fact was  was  stressed by the director of the SADC Organ for Policy and Security, Jorge Cardoso, quoted by the Lesotho weekly Public Eye in its latest edition.

The Angolan diplomat who was speaking in a meeting of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, called on the member countries of the continental organization, the regional community and partners to "urgently mobilize funds for the Mission to carry out its mandate" of six months.

According to the source, SAPMIL has so far secured 3.1million US dollars, out of the 4.7  million USD required for the Mission, which involves a contingent of 269 soldiers, including civilians, police officers and intelligence officials from  seven of the 15 member countries of the Southern African Development  Community (SADC).

Jorge Cardoso stressed that SADC also needs technical support from the AU, for the Mission to obtain "tangible results, lasting peace and security in Lesotho."

On the other hand, the weekly Public Eye, quoting Lesotho's Finance Minister, Moeketis Majoro, says his country's government is prepared to provide the necessary financial support for the Mission as it has been doing since it was launched, in November 2017.

The Kingdom of Lesotho faces a delicate political-military situation that requires institutional solidarity and support from the states of the organization. It is from this perspective that Angola, as chair of the SADC political, defense and security coordination body, is part of the peace mission aimed at establishing political stability and security in that country.

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