Offices and Departments

Political Section

The Functions of the Political Section of the United States Embassy:
 
The Political Section of the U.S. Embassy acts as a liaison between the U.S. Government and the Government of Lesotho, and works to encourage democratic systems and practices in Basotho society.  Political work is diverse, and always subject to change.  The Political Section:

• Tracks significant political events in Lesotho, with an emphasis on analysis of complex events and the forecasting of probable future developments; contributes to the development of democracy and good governance by astute observation of important local developments and information obtained though a network of contacts.
• Administers bi-lateral assistance programs on behalf of the Department of Defense, coordinating closely with the highest levels of Lesotho’s military to designate and administer courses the U.S. military supports in Lesotho. 
• Communicates directly with U.S. Military, especially the European Command, the Defense Attaché and the Office of Defense Cooperation at the Embassy in Pretoria, R.S.A.
•  Drafts remarks/speeches and official messages on the U.S.-Lesotho relationship and political developments, to encourage respect for human rights, and democratic practices. 
• Observes and reports on developments in Lesotho on human rights issues in coordination with other multi and bi-lateral missions and donors and human-rights related organizations, to include input to the annual Human Rights Report.  In pursuit of ever stronger adherence to human rights, administers and selects members of Lesotho’s law enforcement for training, works with the law courts, and observes noteworthy political and security-related trials.

PROJECTS

Department of Defense (DOD) Humanitarian Assistance program at Makoanyane Military Hospital (MMH).

• Provides MMH with equipment and supplies through the DOD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP)

  US EUROPEAN COMMAND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

  • Coordinates and monitors rehabilitation of rural schools and clinics. Also oversees donation of U.S. Military excess property to the Ministries of Health and Education. Helps to evaluate proposed Humanitarian Assistance and Self-Help projects in remote and isolated locations in Lesotho.   

  TRAINING PROGRAMS

  Coordinate other areas of US – Lesotho bilateral affairs, military and law enforcement programs including:

• New Africa Endeavor training for the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) offered by the United States European Command (USEUCOM).

• Training for the LDF and NSS by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) at the National Defense University (NDU).

• Training by the International Law Enforcement Agency (ILEA) for the Lesotho Police, National Security Service (NSS) Officers, Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO).

• Running of new training program provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to relevant Lesotho government departments.

• US European Command's Humanitarian Assistance programs, for rehabilitation of rural schools and clinics in the rural areas of Lesotho.