Regular readers will remember that
Lesotho had an attempted coup at the end of August, which led to all
PCVs spending an anxiety-riddled three weeks in South Africa
(see Consolidation Vacation and Consolidation Continues). Thankfully, things settled down though the same agreements
that allowed us to return to our homes called for elections in
February 2015.
As a result, the new year has been
filled with a sea of brightly colored Basotho campaigning in
villages, towns, and especially Maseru. As early as Christmas, people
on taxis asked me if I would be voting, who I supported, and what I
thought. My answer was always the same as I explained that PCVs are
not allowed to be involved in local politics or share opinions on
local politics.
As the election loomed, PCV chatter
centered around how it may impact our service. In 1998, PCVs were
consolidated after riots broke out in Maseru in response to the
election outcome. South Africa sent in security forces and people
died. From what I have heard, the political climate leading up to the
1998 elections was less tense than it has been since June when the
Prime Minister dissolved the parliament. As a result, we all wondered
what Peace Corps would do and whether we would again be living the
not-so-dope hotel life.
Thankfully, that did not happen. For
the days surrounding the election, we were expected to lay low in our
villages, but to continue with normal life while avoiding polling
places and large gatherings. This was incredibly easy to do in my
village, especially since it ended up being a very gray and rainy set
of days, which pretty much changes normal life to staying home for
most villagers anyway.
My brother showing off the mark that he voted. As a nineteen year old, this was his first time voting! |
After the elections, conversations
around the village centered on the results. Starting the evening of
the election, people spent more time around their radios, responding
loudly whenever a positive announcement came in for the party most
favored in the village. Through the night and into Sunday morning, I
could hear people's reactions from my own hut.
More official announcements came in
throughout the week, showing the party of the Prime Minister with a
slight lead over the party of the previous Prime Minister, whose
party had been in control until the Prime Minister's party managed a
coalition to take control in the 2012 election. This had my villagers
thrilled. But, the previous Prime Minister learned and in the end was
able to take control in the same manner as he had lost it, forming a
coalition with a number of parties to just barely secure a majority
in parliament and therefore return to being Prime Minister.
This was announced late in the week. As
I traveled for a committee meeting over the weekend, I was reminded
of sports fans following a championship game—people in the parties
that formed the winning coalition were decked out in party gear
throughout the five districts I passed through. The level of
enthusiasm for the election far outlasting any political engagement I
have seen in the United States.
Those who supported the outgoing party
seem to be taking things well, expressing joy that the process was
peaceful rather than their disappointment in not winning. That said,
they still have a large representation in the new parliament and can
celebrate having taken far more voting areas this year than in
previous elections.
Similarly, we PCVs are celebrating the
fact that the election process has been far more peaceful than it
could have been. I have never been so happy to say I did not travel!
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