H.E. Ms. Nts’iuoa Sekete Strengthens Lesotho–AU Ties in Courtesy Call with AUC Chairperson
H.E. Ms. Nts’iuoa Sekete, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Commission (AUC), recently paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Chairperson of the AUC, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The meeting served as a vital opportunity to reinforce Lesotho’s active engagement with the African Union and to affirm the Kingdom’s support for the Commission’s new leadership.
Ambassador Sekete conveyed a congratulatory message and warm greetings from His Majesty King Letsie III, affirming Lesotho’s full support for Chairperson Youssouf and his team. The Chairperson and four other members of the Commission were elected during the Heads of State Assembly in February 2025, while the elections for the remaining two Commissioners will take place during the Mid-term Coordination Meeting of the Executive Council in July 2025.
The Ambassador reiterated Lesotho’s commitment to the Union’s broader agenda of integration and development, placing particular emphasis on the Kingdom’s efforts to see an increase in qualified and experienced Basotho taking up employment opportunities within the AU system. She highlighted the importance of equitable representation, which contributes not only to institutional balance but also strengthens the AU’s operational capacity.
Several areas of strategic interest were discussed during the meeting, including the success of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a model of regional cooperation and sustainable development. The Ambassador also spoke about the country’s position in the textile and apparel sector and how Lesotho’s production capacity could be harnessed to enhance intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
His Majesty King Letsie III’s role as the AU’s Champion for Nutrition was also acknowledged, along with Lesotho’s HMK-Just Energy Transition project, which aims to align energy development with environmental sustainability and social impact. The Chairperson welcomed these initiatives as reflective of Lesotho’s ongoing leadership and constructive participation in continental priorities.
The two leaders also reviewed progress on reforms within the AUC, aimed at improving the institution’s efficiency and responsiveness. Ambassador Sekete expressed Lesotho’s full support for these reforms, underscoring the importance of a strong, transparent and results-driven AU that can effectively respond to the needs of African citizens.
This visit underscored Lesotho’s enduring commitment to the values and objectives of the African Union. By fostering direct engagement with AUC leadership and supporting both strategic programs and institutional reforms, Lesotho continues to play an active role in shaping the continent’s future through unity, innovation and shared development goals.
