By Matṧeliso Phulane
The envisaged revised draft National Security Policy and Strategy (NSPS) document will be submitted to the ministry of justice, law and parliamentary affairs for scrutiny through the relevant political stages in 2023.
The draft which was discussed during a three-day workshop that ended Wednesday this week at ‘Mathabiseng Convention engaged participants that included prime minister, minister of defence, national security and environment, minister of justice, law and parliamentary affairs and the traditional leaders.
The objectives of the NSPS is to provide a shared vision for security that is generated through multi-stakeholder consultation. It was also set to analyse all threats to state and human security based on the input of all stakeholders.
Again, it is to provide an opportunity to address internal and external security challenge in a single document. To provide guidance for effective national security policy and strategy implementation.
The national security policy will also improve the effectiveness of the security sector by optimizing contributions from all security actors through a centralized policymaking process.
It envisages to also enhance accountability by providing a clear benchmark against which performance can be measured. To ensure the inclusion of gender best practices in security policy formulation including the consideration of vulnerable and minority groups and the youth.
Additionally, its purpose is to harmonize the use of resources among the security institutions in the provision of national security. To also describe how the security sector will implement each aspect of the National Security Policy.
Prime Minister Samuel Matekane said It is common knowledge that reviewing and reforming the National Security Agencies is regarded by most if not all Basotho, as key to the achievement of lasting peace, democracy and a stable political, secure and united environment.
In his closing remarks, Matekane highlighted the forum was very vibrant, with inputs from all the relevant sectors of the society, inclusive of the funding partners.
“I have also been informed that the break-away sessions managed to discuss various sections of the draft policy and strategy, and have come up with a comprehensive set of recommendations for improving them.
“I therefore urge the experts who will be compiling the National Security Policy and Strategy, to consider each and every recommendation seriously and with utmost commitment so that the views of all the stakeholders can be included in the final product.
“Let me reiterate that the government is committed to the National Reforms process, not only those of the security sector, but the successful implementation of all reforms in all the seven thematic areas.
He added that it is through their commitment to make sure that the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution (The Omnibus Bill) is passed into law by the 11th Parliament as soon as possible
He said the reforms in general, and the entire process are intended to ‘anchor a future Lesotho that is politically stable, so that every Mosotho can freely attain their aspirations; a future where all our institutions and sectors are allowed and enabled to excel and are fully accountable under the democratic norms, and are a source of national pride in the manner they serve the people;
“And future where the three arms of Government work collaboratively and in synergy; a future where people-centred development is the major pre-occupation of the Government of the day; above all, a future where people live in a safe and just society and where human rights are fully guaranteed for all,” he added.
He continued: “Therefore; as leaders and representatives of different sectors of the society, you are not the exclusive owners of the reforms process. The process belongs to every Mosotho down to the village level.
“In the long run, the following outcomes will be expected National stakeholder consensus on the National Security Policy and Strategy that is responsive to the diverse needs of Basotho.
The following were also highlighted: guidance on the effective implementation of the National Security Policy and Strategy, collaboration of all stakeholders in the implementation of the National Security Policy and Strategy. Greater national, regional and international confidence in Lesotho’s National Security Policy and Strategy, paving the way to political stability and sustainable socio-economic development.
“In the past five decades, the Kingdom of Lesotho has been affected by political, and security sector instability. This history of instability has included a military coup, military rule, authoritarian rule, post-election violence, strikes by members of the uniformed forces, conflict between the police and the army and assassination of prominent personnel.
“This violence led to intervention by the Southern African Development Community, the African Union. Lesotho has also been faced with a number of threats which includes; political threats, economics threats, social and cultural as well as environmental threats,” he warned.
