Foreign relations of Lesotho
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 (SADC) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). 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 (Lesotho's largest bilateral aid donor), 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 (P.R.C.) and re-establish relations with the Republic of China (commonly known by its main island as Taiwan), it had restored ties with the P.R.C. in 1994.
Bilateral relations
Africa
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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Algeria |
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Angola | 1983 |
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Botswana |
| |
Burkina Faso | 14 April 2016 |
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Burundi |
| |
Cameroon | 29 October 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 October 1968 |
Cabo Verde |
| |
Central African Republic |
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Comoros |
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Democratic Republic of the Congo |
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Djibouti |
| |
Egypt | 31 May 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 May 1973 |
Equatorial Guinea |
| |
Eritrea | 21 June 2015 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 June 2015 when Mr. Saleh Omar, Eritrean Ambassador to South Africa, has presented his credentials to King of Lesotho Letsie III.
|
Eswatini | 12 February 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 February 1976 |
Ethiopia |
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Gabon |
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Ghana | 24 November 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 November 1966 |
Guinea |
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Ivory Coast | 28 October 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 October 1968 |
Kenya | June 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in June 1968. |
Liberia | 4 July 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 July 1974 |
Libya | The two countries maintain diplomatic relations and Lesotho formerly had a diplomatic mission in Tripoli. | |
Madagascar | 7 December 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 1971 |
Malawi | 4 February 1967 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 February 1967
|
Mauritania | 9 March 2017 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 March 2017 when first Ambassador of Mauritania to Lesotho M. Mohamed Ould Hanani presented his credentials to King Letsie III. |
Mauritius |
| |
Morocco | 1990 |
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Mozambique | 9 September 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1975
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Namibia |
| |
Niger | 17 August 2017 |
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Nigeria | November 1971 |
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Rwanda | 1983 |
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Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic |
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São Tomé and Príncipe |
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Seychelles |
| |
Sierra Leone | 22 October 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 October 1968 |
Somalia |
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South Africa | 21 May 1992 | See Lesotho–South Africa relations |
Sudan | The countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 in the fields of political consulation and social development. | |
Tanzania | 23 January 1970 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 January 1970 when first High Commissioner of Lesotho, Mr. P. A. Mabathoana, presented credentils to President Nyerere
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Tunisia | 1 December 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 December 2000 |
Uganda | 4 October 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1968 |
Zambia | 19 September 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 September 1973 |
Zimbabwe | 1 July 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 July 1982
|
Elsewhere
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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Argentina | 19 May 1999 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 May 1999 |
Australia |
| |
Austria | See Austria–Lesotho relations | |
Azerbaijan | 28 September 2012 | Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Lesotho were established on September 28, 2012. |
Bahrain | 24 July 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 March 1983 |
Bahamas | The two countries maintain diplomatic relations. | |
Bangladesh | 4 March 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 March 1983 |
Barbados | 25 November 1979 |
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Belarus | 2020 |
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Belgium |
| |
Brazil | 1975 |
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Brunei | 30 March 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 March 2000 |
Bulgaria | 10 July 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 July 1980 |
Canada | 1966 | See Canada–Lesotho relations
|
Chile | 25 August 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 August 1998 |
China | 30 April 1983 | See China-Lesotho relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 April 1983, but broke off 7 April 1990 and re-established on 12 January 1994 |
Colombia | 17 April 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1998 |
Costa Rica | 17 April 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1998 |
Croatia | 6 November 1998 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 November 1998. |
Cuba | 14 June 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 June 1979 |
Cyprus | 25 February 2004 |
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Czech Republic | 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1982 |
Denmark | 1970 |
|
Dominican Republic | 2 November 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 November 2023. |
Estonia | 26 September 2012 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 2012 |
Finland | 1 February 1979 | See Finland–Lesotho relations |
France | 21 August 1967 | The two countries maintain diplomatic relations. |
Georgia | 23 September 2013 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2013. |
Germany | 1966 |
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Greece | 31 January 1977 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 January 1977
|
Guyana | 25 August 1979 |
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Holy See | 11 March 1967 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 November 1993 |
Hungary | 29 March 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 1983
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Iceland | 24 August 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 August 1983 |
India | 8 June 1971 | See India–Lesotho relations
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Indonesia | 4 November 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 November 1993 |
Iraq |
| |
Iran | 15 December 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1971.
|
Ireland | 14 June 2005 |
Lesotho has significant relations with Ireland. On 13 November 1997, Liz O'Donnell (Irish Minister for State) 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. |
Israel | 4 October 1966 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1966 |
Italy |
| |
Jamaica | 19 October 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 October 1979 |
Japan | 29 July 1971 |
|
Kazakhstan | 2 April 2015 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 April 2015 |
Kuwait | 30 April 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 April 1973 |
Kyrgyzstan | 20 July 2017 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 July 2017. |
Latvia | 10 February 2014 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 February 2014. |
Lebanon | 1 September 2005 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 September 2005. |
Lithuania | 20 July 2000 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 July 2000. |
Luxembourg | The countries maintain diplomatic relations. | |
Malaysia | 31 March 1988 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 March 1988 |
Maldives | 29 March 2021 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 2021 |
Malta | 11 April 2006 |
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Mexico | 14 November 1975 |
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Monaco | 15 July 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 1985. |
Mongolia | 2 July 1985 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 1985. |
Montenegro | 23 September 2013 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2013. |
Nepal | 18 May 2010 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 May 2010. |
Netherlands |
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New Zealand | 27 April 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 2000
|
Nicaragua | 14 June 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 June 1983 |
North Macedonia | 3 September 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1998 |
Norway | 8 May 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 May 1976. |
Pakistan | 4 July 1984 |
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. |
Palestine | 30 September 2021 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 2021 |
Peru | 21 July 1989 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1989 |
Philippines | 15 April 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 April 1998 |
Poland | 20 December 1978 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 December 1978 |
Portugal | 29 March 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 1976 |
Qatar | 10 April 2001 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 2001 |
Romania | 1 May 1975 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 May 1975. |
Russia | 1 February 1980 |
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. |
San Marino | 30 November 2010 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 November 2010. |
Saudi Arabia | 20 August 2021 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 August 2021. |
Serbia | 1972 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. |
Singapore | 12 January 1990 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 January 1990. |
Slovakia | 8 May 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 May 1995. |
South Korea | 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. |
Sri Lanka | 14 July 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 2000. |
Spain | 3 May 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 May 1976. |
Sweden |
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Switzerland | 22 August 1967 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 August 1967 |
Thailand | 17 April 1989 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1989 |
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Turkey | 1980 |
|
Ukraine | 1 June 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 June 2000 |
United Arab Emirates | The two countries maintain diplomatic relations. | |
United Kingdom | 4 October 1966 |
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. |
United States | 4 October 1966 | 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 (USAID) 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. This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State. |
Uruguay | 26 May 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1998 |
Venezuela | 26 June 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 June 1983 |
Vietnam | 6 January 1998 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 January 1998. |
Notable people
- Lefa Mokotjo (1999–2005), ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the People's Republic of China