Lesotho and Eswatini monarchs celebrate Diamond Jubilee and regional ties

During Lesotho’s Diamond Jubilee independence celebrations at Setsoto Stadium, King Letsie III and King Mswati III of Eswatini highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between their two nations.

King Mswati III commended Lesotho for its role in shaping the political and economic landscape of Southern Africa over the last 60 years. He noted Lesotho’s history as a sanctuary for political exiles during the anti-apartheid struggle and its instrumental role in founding the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), which later became the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

King Letsie III described the presence of the Eswatini monarch as a testament to the enduring bonds between the kingdoms, noting that their relationship is rooted in shared heritage and mutual respect. The celebrations also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the support of international organizations, including the African Union, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations, in Lesotho’s development since its independence in 1966.