Foreign relations of Lesotho


's geographic location makes it extremely vulnerable to political and economic developments in South Africa. Its capital is the small city of Maseru. It is a member of many regional economic organizations including the Southern African Development Community and the Southern African Customs Union. Lesotho also is active in the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, and many other international organizations. In addition to the Republic of Korea, the United States, South Africa, Ireland, People's Republic of China, Libya, and the European Union all currently retain resident diplomatic missions in Lesotho. Foreign relations of Lesotho are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
Lesotho has historically maintained generally close ties with the Republic of Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other Western states. Although Lesotho decided in 1990 to break relations with the People's Republic of China and re-establish relations with the Republic of China, it had restored ties with the P.R.C. in 1994.

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
25 November 1979
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 November 1979.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
1970
  • Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa visited Brazil in 2010
    • 1966See Canada–Lesotho relations
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1966.
  • Canada is represented in Lesotho via parallel accreditation of its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Since 2006, Lesotho has a high commission in Ottawa and an honorary consulate in Maseru.
  • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Pakalitha Mosisili was educated in through Canadian Government provided scholarships
    • 6 November 1998Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 November 1998.
    25 February 2004
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 2004.
    • Cyprus is represented in Lesotho through its High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
    • Lesotho is represented in Cyprus via parallel accreditation of its High Commission in London.
    • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    September 2012Both countries established diplomatic relations in September 2012.
    23 September 2013
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2013.

    • Germany is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
    • Lesotho has an embassy in Berlin.
  • Greece is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Lesotho is represented in Greece via parallel accreditation of its embassy in Rome, Italy.
    • 25 August 1979
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 25 August 1979.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    • See India–Lesotho relations
  • The High Commission in Pretoria has been concurrently accredited to Lesotho.
  • Lesotho has a High Commission in New Delhi.
    • 13 November 1997Lesotho has significant relations with Ireland. On 13 November 1997, Liz O'Donnell spoke about the relationship between the two nations and Ireland's future commitment towards Lesotho. The Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern visited Lesotho in 2000. This relationship was further strengthened by a visit from the then President of Ireland Mary McAleese between 14 and 16 June 2006 on her speech about the long-standing relationship with Lesotho and shared history between both nations.
    The Irish Government has donated aid to Lesotho since 1975. Donations to Lesotho is Ireland's longest running aid programme. On 14 February 2005, Lesotho announced that Ireland is the largest bilateral donor with financial support in excess of M70 million in each of the past three years. Ireland also supports Lesotho's Flying Doctor Service, education, sanitation, water and various health such as the Fight against AIDS with the Clinton Foundation.
    August 1986
    Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1986.
    July 1971
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations in July 1971.
    • Japan is represented in Lesotho via parallel accreditation of its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
    22 July 2017Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 July 2017.
    10 February 2014
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 February 2014.
    20 July 2000
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 July 2000.
    11 April 2006
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 April 2006.
    • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    1975
  • Lesotho is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • Mexico is accredited to Lesotho from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
    • 2 July 1985Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 1985.
    23 September 2013
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2013.

    • Lesotho is accredited to Namibia from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
    • Namibia is accredited to Lesotho from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
    18 May 2010Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 May 2010.

    Pakistan and Lesotho maintain trade links. Pakistan is also a leading trainer of Lesotho Defense Force.
    Both Countries maintain honorary consulates in each other's country. Both Pakistan and Lesotho are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    1 May 1975
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 May 1975.
    24 January 1992
    During the 1980s, the Soviet Union and Lesotho developed closer relations. In 1992, Lesotho recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state to the Soviet Union. From 2004 to 2007 Monyane Moleleki, who had studied at the Moscow State University, was Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
    1972
    Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1972.
    See Lesotho–South Africa relations
    7 December 1966
    Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Lesotho is 7 December 1966 and in 2011 Bilateral Trade were Exports $27,330,000, Imports: $290,000.
    1967
    Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.

    • Lesotho is represented in Turkey via parallel accreditation of its embassy in Rome, Italy.
    • Turkey is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
    Lesotho was previously the British protectorate of Basutoland prior to gaining independence in 1966. Since then Lesotho has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and maintained strong relations with the United Kingdom, exchanging High Commissioners between respective governments. The United Kingdom has maintained its status as one of Lesotho's major defence equipment suppliers as well as significant investment coming from the United Kingdom to help in the prevention and management of AIDS/HIV as well as other infrastructure projects.
    See Lesotho-United States relations
    The United States was one of the first four countries to establish an embassy in Maseru after Lesotho gained its independence from Great Britain in 1966. Since this time, Lesotho and the United States have consistently maintained warm bilateral relations. In 1996, the United States closed its bilateral aid program in Lesotho. The Southern African regional office of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Gaborone, Botswana now administers most of the U.S. assistance to Lesotho, which totalled approximately $2 million in FY 2004. Total U.S. aid to Lesotho is over $69 million, including humanitarian food assistance. The Peace Corps has operated in Lesotho since 1969.About 69 Peace Corps volunteers concentrate in the sectors of health, agriculture, education, rural community development, and the environment. The Government of Lesotho encourages greater American participation in commercial life and welcomes interest from potential U.S. investors and suppliers. In 2007, the Government of Lesotho signed a compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to provide $362.5 million in support to develop Lesotho's water sector, healthcare infrastructure, and private sector.
    6 January 1998
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 January 1998.

    Lesotho and the Commonwealth of Nations

    Lesotho, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Swaziland, and Tonga, is a Commonwealth member state with its own monarchy.