Pretoria, 17 August, 2017- A Meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Honourable Lesego Makgothi and the APRM Team led by Mr. McBride Nkhalamba was held at Premier Hotel in Pretoria, South Africa along the margins of the 37th SADC Summit.

The Honourable Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Nkonyane Monyane, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Relations and Advocate M. Ramonono, Director a.i Political Affairs, Africa and the Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations. Mr. McBride was accompanied by Dr. Rachel Mukamunana and Mrs. Clementine Nyinawumuntu.

Speaking on behalf of APRM, Mr. McBride explained the main objective of the meeting which were centred around the potential conduct of a support mission to revive the APRM national structures in Lesotho, and to clarify APRM planned collaboration with the SADC Facilitator’s Office for Lesotho and SADC Secretariat in the Lesotho’s reform process.

On behalf of Lesotho, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the need of re-establishing and re-energizing the APRM National structures, he ensured that Lesotho will soon invite APRM to have a session with the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane as well as the members of the Coalition Government, Partners, the College of Chiefs, the Civil Society Organizations, the Christian Council of Lesotho and other Stakeholders. He further added that the reforms will need the assistance and advice of APRM and other partners.

In addition, Dr. Rachel Mukamunana informed the Honorable Minister about the APRM Extraordinary summit that is to be held at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York. She indicated that the Head of the APR Forum H.E Uhuru Kenyatta proposed that during the summit; H. E Madam President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will present the Liberia Report before she leaves office. Dr Rachel added that it would be a good opportunity for Lesotho Prime Minister to attend the Summit.

The Honourable Minister assured the APRM that once the date has been set, the Honourable Prime Minister will attend.

Following a period of moderate participation in the mechanism, Lesotho is now set on reembarking on its successful journey in the APRM.