Lesotho surprised Trump’s comment that ‘no one has heard about the country’
Lesotho’s government says it is surprised by US President Donald Trump that no one has ever heard of “South African Nation”.
Trump in his first speech since returning to the Oval Office, addressed the US Congress, referenced as he had cut what he said.
Trump said, “Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in Lesotho’s African nation, which no one has ever heard, said,” Trump said, by removing laughter from some American MPs.
A spokesman for Lesotho’s foreign affairs department told the BBC that Lesotho enjoyed a “hot and cordial” relations with the US.
Lesotho is one of the largest beneficiaries of the US African Development and Opportunity Act (earlier), providing some countries a favorable trade access to promote its economic growth.
According to the US government, both countries traded $ 240m (£ 187m) goods in 2024, mostly from Lesotho to the US, exported to special textiles and clothing.
Lesotho’s Foreign Affairs Minister Legon Mapotogen said it was “shocking” to “refer to another sovereign state” to hear the head of the state.
“For my surprise,” the country that no one has heard is the country where there is a permanent mission of America, “Mr. Mipotogen told the BBC.
“Lesotho is a member of the United Nations and many other international bodies. And America has an embassy here and (there) many American organizations we have adjusted here in Maseru.”
The authorities dismissed Trump’s comments as “away from cuff” and a “political statement”, saying that they were “uncured-for”, given good relations between the two countries.
“We maintain very hot and cordial relations with the US. They have found a mission in Maseru and we also have (a) in Washington,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Kutlano Faco told the BBC.
Mr. Fako was unable to confirm Trump’s comments on the funding going to LGBTQ organizations, he said that as the money went directly to him, he would be kept best to comment.
Mr. Mpotjoane confirmed on his behalf that the country was affected by Trump’s sudden decision, which was to prevent assistance funds to countries around the world.
Many organizations were thrown into several organizations, mostly non-governmental, chaos by the Trump administration by the Trump administration by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding to reduce the expenditure of the US government at a permanent end ending.
Pepfar was launched in 2003 by US President George W. Bush and its finance has been distributed through the US government’s main foreign aid agency USAID, which has also been cut in funding.
Lesotho is one of the countries that benefited from Pepfar, its Health Ministry in February reported the South African Publication Groundup, which has TB and HIV programs among those who receive important funds.
But Mr. Mpotjoane refused to criticize the decision, stating that it was the US’s “Privilege to cut aid if they want.
