Hopolang Mokhopi
THE Ministry of Local Government, Home Affairs, Chieftainship and Police, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing violence and promoting sustainable peace in Ha Mantsebo, Qeme, in the outskirts of Maseru, among other areas.
The Peace Building Fund project will later be implemented in other parts of Maseru and in Mafeteng and Mokhotlong districts, which have experienced varying levels of community violence and unrest.
The initiative seeks to strengthen community resilience by investing in grassroots leadership, promoting dialogue, establishing local peace committees and setting up early warning systems.
Qeme was selected as the launch site in recognition of the community’s active participation in baseline surveys and other preliminary engagements.
Minister of Local Government, Home Affairs, Chieftainship and Police, Lebona Lephema, expressed his appreciation for the launch, describing it as a turning point in the country’s journey toward peace.
“This event marks not just the beginning of a programme, but a pivotal moment in our shared mission to confront the culture of violence and replace it with enduring values of dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect,” said Mr Lephema.
He acknowledged the community’s significant contributions during consultations and baseline surveys, noting, “We are not merely managing symptoms; we are targeting the root causes of conflict.”
These underlying issues include inequality, youth unemployment, substance abuse, and mistrust between communities and state institutions.
Mr Lephema said the initiative was not solely a government effort, but a collective mission supported by a broad network of partners; development agencies, NGOs, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and, most importantly, the community itself. He urged all stakeholders to embrace the project as a platform for true community ownership.
He also called upon chiefs and traditional leaders to help mediate local disputes and encouraged young people to channel their energy and innovation into promoting peace.
“Peace begins with us. It starts in our homes, schools, villages, and places of worship. Without peace, we cannot educate our children, grow our economy, or enjoy the full benefits of our democracy.”
As the symbolic torch of the Peace Building Fund was lit, Mr Lephema reaffirmed his commitment to building a Lesotho where every individual feels safe, heard, and valued—a country where peace is defined not just by the absence of violence, but by the presence of justice, inclusion, and opportunity.
The UN Country Representative Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, echoed the minister’s sentiments, emphasising that Lesotho could become a land of peace, dignity, and hope. She acknowledged the troubling rates of violence, saying Lesotho had the highest homicide rate in Africa and ranks fifth globally.
“These are not just statistics, they represent the lived experiences of mothers, daughters, sons, and brothers,” Ms Mukwashi said, calling on the community to take action.
She stressed that peace must be cultivated at the grassroots level: “Peace cannot be imported or imposed; it must be nurtured in our families, villages, and hearts.”
Highlighting the symbolic significance of launching the initiative in Ha Mantsebo – a place where hope has withered and justice feels distant – she underscored the importance of creating an enabling environment for peace.
Ms Mukwashi said the initiative was built on ongoing national reforms in the judicial and security sectors. She thanked her UN colleagues for their support and emphasised that laws alone were insufficient as they ought to translate into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives.
“This project is not just about the police, but the people. It is about creating spaces for dialogue, reconciliation, and understanding; and building trust between communities and the institutions that serve them.”
Recognising that violence disproportionately affects women and children, Ms Mukwashi called for their empowerment and protection, stressing the need to place them at the heart of peacebuilding efforts.
Qeme Member of Parliament, Sello Hakane, welcomed the project, describing it as a blessing for the constituency. He highlighted the importance of such initiatives in fostering peace and stability in communities.
