As a small landlocked nation in Southern Africa, Lesotho has been able to develop strong ties with many of its neighbors, as well as with countries in other parts of the world.
It has had a long-standing relationship with the United States. The two countries have maintained a strong association, with the United States providing economic and security assistance to Lesotho.
It also has strong ties with many other states in the region, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. It is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is an organization that promotes economic and political cooperation in the region. It is also a member of the African Unions and the United Nations. Following are the few foreign ties of the country.
South Africa
Lesotho and South Africa share a long and complex history of diplomatic relations. The two states have a strong economic, political, and cultural relationship, and have been closely linked since Lesotho’s independence in 1966. Both countries are members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).
The two states have a strong economic partnership, with South Africa being Its largest trading partner. South Africa is also the largest source of investment in the republic and provides the country with important services such as electricity and water. It is also a major supplier of labor to South Africa, with over 200,000 Basotho citizens working in South African mines and other industries.
Namibia
It also has strong diplomatic ties with Namibia. The two countries have signed several bilateral agreements, including agreements on trade, investment, and the protection of intellectual property. They also cooperate in the fields of agriculture, education, and health, and are both members of the SADC and the AU. Lesotho and Namibia have also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Joint Commission to facilitate cooperation between the two states
Zimbabwe
Lesotho and Zimbabwe have had diplomatic relations since 1980. The two countries have signed several agreements, including a pact on Cooperation in the field of education and agriculture. Lesotho and Zimbabwe have also signed an agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.
Botswana
Lesotho and Botswana have had diplomatic relations since 1966. The two countries have a number of joint projects, including a joint border post and a joint venture in the tourism sector.
A number of high-level conferences and exchanges between the two nations have also taken place, notably the Lesotho-Botswana Joint Commission Meeting in 2017. A bilateral agreement on partnership in the training and education sector as well as a contract on mutual assistance in agriculture have both been signed by the two states.
France
Lesotho and France have a long-standing diplomatic relationship. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1966, shortly after It gained independence. Since then, the two states have worked together to promote economic and social development in Lesotho. France has provided technical assistance and financial support to Lesotho and has also provided scholarships to Lesotho students to study in France. In addition, France has supported Its efforts to develop its infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and telecommunications.
Canada
Canada and Lesotho have a solid diplomatic relationship. Since Lesotho gained its independence in 1966, Canada has helped the country prosper. Initiatives in Its construction, economy, and culture have received funding from Canada. Canada has also given Its students scholarships to attend Canadian universities. Moreover, Canada has helped Lesotho in its attempts to advance economic growth and combat poverty.
Canada has worked together to promote economic and social development in Lesotho and has provided financial and technical assistance to the country.
