In his Tuesday address to Congress, US President Donald Trump criticized the$ 8 million that Lesotho has been given for LGBTQ+ rights promotion.
He criticized what he called unwanted US-funded activities abroad and said,” Nobody has ever heard of it.”
His remarks were vehemently condemned by the Lesotho authorities. Lejone Mpotjoane, the government’s foreign minister, added,” We did not expect a head of state to send to another royal state in such a way,” and that the government was” shocked and embarrassed” by the speech.
He stated that Lesotho did write a letter to Washington to express his opposition to the notes.
The US maintains an official in Maseru, Lesotho’s cash, and American volunteers are employed there by the organization’s Peace Corps.
People’s Matrix, a leading LGBTQ+ privileges organization in Lesotho, added to the discussion by denying receiving any US money. We are essentially not receiving US grants, according to director Tampose Mothopeng. ” We don’t know where this claim for$ 8 million comes from.”
The outcry even spanned social media, where Kananelo Boloetse, a journalist and activist, rudely responded to Trump’s remarks. He wrote on X ( previously Twitter ) that” Lesotho is the only country in the world that is entirely above 1, 000 meters in elevation—higher than your approval ratings ever got.” He continued,” We’re here, we’re happy, and we’re not your punchline.”
Important details about Lothoso
- Lesotho is encircled by South Africa. It is the only independent nation with an elevation of more than 1, 000 meters (3, 281 feet ) and is known as the” Kingdom in the Sky.”
- It has a royal community, which in turn results in a constitutional monarchy, but an elected prime minister governs the nation.
- Lesotho’s area is primarily unsuited for cultivation, which causes repeated food shortages. Some people in South Africa are employed to provide for their people.
- Water, known as” white silver,” is the country’s biggest healthy tool, and it is exported to South Africa.
- Lesotho’s companies have produced denim for companies like Levi’s and Wrangler, earning it the moniker” Denim Capital of Africa.”
- Prince Seeiso of Lesotho is a near friend of Prince Harry of the UK. Collectively, they co-founded Sentebale, a generosity that helps young people who have been harmed by HIV/AIDS.
