Lesotho's Prime Minister Targets Activist over Unemployment Critique

Tsolo Thakeli's video campaign against Lesotho's high unemployment rate has made him an enemy of the prime minister, Sam Matekane. Thakeli's social media posts and videos questioning Matekane's job creation promises have resulted in his arrest, re-arrest, and charges of sedition. Despite a warning from the police commissioner to stop mentioning the prime minister's name, Thakeli continues to speak out, fearing for his safety but determined to hold the government accountable for its promises.

Key Takeaways:

• Tsolo Thakeli, a 31-year-old father of two, was arrested and charged with sedition for questioning Lesotho's prime minister, Sam Matekane, on unemployment issues.
• Thakeli's video campaign highlighted the government's failure to create jobs, despite a promise to create 70,000 jobs in three weeks, and criticized the lack of provision for job creation in the budget.
• The incident sparked protests in Lesotho's capital, Maseru, and raised concerns among human rights activists in the southern African region.
• Thakeli's arrest was followed by a warning from the police commissioner to stop mentioning the prime minister's name, but he continues to speak out, fearing for his safety but determined to hold the government accountable.
• Lesotho struggles with 16% unemployment, with the rate rising to 24% for young people, according to the World Bank.
• Thakeli has long campaigned for action on unemployment, staging a one-man protest outside parliament in 2016, long before Matekane took office.
• The case has sparked debate on the role of citizens in holding governments accountable for their promises and the limits of free speech in Lesotho.

Statistics:

• 16% unemployment rate in Lesotho, according to the World Bank.
• 24% unemployment rate for young people in Lesotho, according to the World Bank.
• 500 vacancies in the army, prompting thousands of people to turn up to an army recruitment drive.
• 70,000 jobs promised to be created by Lesotho's prime minister, Sam Matekane, in three weeks.
• 3 years since Matekane's election, with no action taken on job creation.

Sources:

• Thakeli's social media posts and videos (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter).
• Public Eye Online (photograph).
• The Guardian.
• World Bank.
• Makomborero Haruzivishe, Action for Southern Africa.