Warden Messages

U.S. Embassy Maseru, Lesotho

Warden Message

March 16, 2007

Dear Fellow American Citizens of Lesotho:

Lesotho’s Parliament officially opened on March 15, 2007. Large crowds of political party supporters that gathered around the Parliament building for opening ceremonies were animated, but no security incidents were reported. The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) maintained a significant security presence during and after the opening ceremony.

According to reports from local authorities and political parties, late on the evening of March 15, government security officials took measures to evict opposition Members of Parliament who had intended to occupy parliamentary buildings for the duration of the weekend. As of midday March 16, the situation at Parliament remains calm.

A leading opposition political party figure, supported by other opposition leaders, has publicly called for a massive stay-away from work March 19-21 (Monday through Wednesday) if the Government of Lesotho does not address opposition grievances, related to the distribution of parliamentary seats, by Sunday, March 18.

Since events could unfold over the course of the weekend, Americans are advised at this time that there may be a disruption of public transport and other commercial and government services during the early part of next week. We also wish to remind American citizens that it is prudent, wherever possible, to avoid large crowds and gatherings.

We encourage all our U.S. Citizens living in or traveling in Lesotho to register with 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 Consular.Maseru@state.gov.