Warden Messages

Warden Message
November 15, 2007

Dear Fellow American Citizens in Lesotho:

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) has been advised that supporters of the political opposition are planning to march in central Maseru on Friday, November 16, beginning at around 10:00 a.m.  This morning the leader of the All Basotho Congress (ABC) party announced the planned march.  First, participants plan to deliver a petition to the Office of the Prime Minister.  The organizers of the march informed the U.S. Embassy that they intend to deliver a copy of the petition the U.S. Embassy.  Although it is difficult to gauge, we estimate the marchers could arrive at the U.S. Embassy between 12:00 noon and 2:30 p.m. 

According to local law enforcement officials, the march will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the Excel gas station on Moshoeshoe Road near the Parliament building, proceed straight to the Main Traffic Circle, then to Mpilo Bypass Road, and on to a holding area near the Office of the the Prime Minister.  The marchers will then return to the Main Traffic Circle, travel down to the Central Bank, and turn right onto Airport Road to the BNP Centre.  They are expected to march along Constitution Road, join Tona-Kholo Road, and continue to the Moshoeshoe Road/Kingsway traffic lights near the U.S. Embassy.   At this intersection there  will be a holding area for the marchers.  A small delegation will then proceed to the U.S. Embassy to deliver the copy of the petition.

An officer of the U.S. Embassy will receive the peition. 

We understand that the marchers will then return along the same route as far as the Central Bank area where they will disperse.  Officials of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service stressed that they will escort the marchers at all times. 

The U.S. Embassy will be closed during delivery of the petition and routine consular services to the American citizen community will be suspended. 

The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that American citizens avoid the downtown of Maseru, especially the route identified above, immediately preceding and following the planned march.  Please take all the usual security precautions when traveling during the period mentioned above. 

Should extenuating circumstances require you to travel into town during this period, please take every precaution, avoid large crowds, ensure you keep your car windows and doors closed and locked, and maintain good situational awareness.  We remind U.S. citizens in Lesotho to remain vigilant and to keep in your possession at all times your identification, resident permits, and border passes.   

If you are living or traveling in Lesotho, please register with the U.S. Embassy Maseru in person or through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Lesotho.

The Consular Section of the Embassy in Maseru, Lesotho is located at 254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru.

American citizens can call 22-312-666 during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday.  For after-hours emergencies an American officer from the Embassy can be reached by cellular telephone at 5888-4035.  The email address for the Consular Section in Maseru is USConsularMaseru@state.gov.