The government of Lesotho has expressed shock after US President Donald Trump referred to the country as a place “nobody has ever heard of” on Tuesday.
Trump made the comment during his first speech since returning to the Oval Office, where he was discussing cuts to what he called wasteful spending.
He mentioned a $8 million expenditure to promote LGBTQI+ rights in Lesotho, adding, “which nobody has ever heard of,” causing some US lawmakers to laugh.
Speaking to the BBC, a spokesperson for Lesotho’s foreign affairs department responded by saying that the country has “warm and cordial” relations with the US.
Lesotho also benefits from the US’s African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers favourable trade terms to boost economic growth.
Lesotho’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, said it was “shocking” for a head of state to refer to another country in such a manner. He said:
To my surprise, ‘the country that nobody has heard of’ is the country where the US has a permanent mission.
Lesotho is a member of the UN and of a number of other international bodies. And the US has an embassy here and [there are] a number of US organisations we’ve accommodated here in Maseru.
Officials have dismissed Trump’s comments as an “off the cuff” and “political statement,” saying they were “uncalled-for” considering the strong relations between the two countries. Foreign affairs spokesperson Kutloano Pheko told the BBC:
We maintain very warm and cordial relations with the US. They’ve got a mission in Maseru and we also have [one] in Washington.
Pheko could not confirm Trump’s comments about the funding to LGBTQ organisations, saying that since the money went directly to them, they would be in a better position to comment.
Mpotjoane, on the other hand, confirmed that the country had been impacted by Trump’s sudden decision to pause aid funding to countries around the world.
collins · 3 weeks ago
Here are the countries with the least population:
1. Vatican City: With a population of just 500 residents, Vatican City is the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world.
2. Niue: This small self-governing island in the Pacific Ocean has a population of around 1,800 residents.
3. Tokelau: Another Pacific island nation, Tokelau has a population of approximately 2,500 residents.
4. Falkland Islands: With a population of around 3,400 residents, the Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
5. Montserrat: This Caribbean island has a population of approximately 4,300 residents.
6. Saint Helena: With a population of around 5,200 residents, Saint Helena is a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
7. Saint Pierre & Miquelon: This French overseas collectivity in the North Atlantic Ocean has a population of approximately 5,600 residents.
8. Tuvalu: With a population of around 9,500 residents, Tuvalu is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean.
9. Wallis & Futuna Islands: This French overseas collectivity in the Pacific Ocean has a population of approximately 11,200 residents.
10. Saint Barthélemy: With a population of around 11,300 residents, Saint Barthélemy is an overseas collectivity of France in the Caribbean.
These countries have unique challenges and opportunities due to their small populations, including limited economic resources, vulnerability to natural disasters, and preservation of cultural heritage
Joza · 3 weeks ago
How did both Lesotho and Swaziland become independent within a country?
Lesotho and Swaziland (now known as Eswatini) both achieved independence within the context of their historical ties to larger colonial powers, specifically the British Empire.
Lesotho
Colonial Background: Lesotho was originally known as Basutoland and was established as a British protectorate in 1868 after conflicts with the Boer settlers. The British sought to protect the Basotho people from encroachment by the Boers.
Path to Independence: After World War II, the push for self-governance grew across Africa. Lesotho was granted internal self-government in 1965, and it became fully independent on October 4, 1966. The first prime minister was Leabua Jonathan.
Swaziland (Eswatini)
Colonial Background: Swaziland was also a British protectorate, established in 1903 after a series of conflicts between the Swazi people and neighboring Boer settlers. The British administered the territory while allowing some degree of local governance.
Path to Independence: Following a period of constitutional reform and increasing calls for independence, Swaziland gained its independence on September 6, 1968. The last British governor, Sir Eric Hobsbawm, handed over power to King Sobhuza II, who had been a significant figure in the independence movement.
Source: quora.com