Foreign relations of Lesotho

Lesotho is an active member of various regional economic systems, including SACU (Southern African Customs Union) and SADC (Southern African Development Community (SADC). The country’s geographic position makes it tremendously vulnerable to economic and political growth in South Africa. The country is also a member of the Organization of African Unity (known presently as African Union), the Non-Aligned Movement, the United Nations and a lot of other worldwide organisations. Aside from the United States of America, there are many other big countries that are currently maintaining resident diplomatic operations in the country. These include Libya, Ireland, South Africa, the European Union and the People's Republic of China.

Historically, Lesotho has generally maintained close connections with Ireland (the country’s biggest bi-lateral aid benefactor), Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and many other Western countries. In 1991, the country decided to break affairs with China and reinstate associations with Taiwan. Lesotho re-established its relations with the most populated country in the world in 1994.

Lesotho has significant relations with Ireland. On 13 November 1997, Irish Minister for State Liz O'Donnell spoke regarding the connection involving the two countries and her nation’s future dedication towards the country. Bertie Ahern, the prime minster of Ireland, came to visit in Lesotho, in 2000. The relationship between the two countries was further toned by a trip of Mary McAleese, the Irish President of the State, from 14 to 16 of June 2006, during which she gave a speech regarding the long-existing relationship between the two countries and the history shared in both nations.

Since 1975, Lesotho has been receiving a substantial aid from the Irish Government. The donation program for the country is the longest running assistance project of Ireland. On 14 February 2005, the country pronounced that Ireland is actually the biggest bilateral donor for the previous three years, with financial aid of more than M70 million per year. Ireland also aids the country's education, Flying Doctor Service, water, sanity and different health projects like the Battle against AIDS along with the William J. Clinton Foundation. Also in 1975, Ireland showed assistance to the country during its opposition of the apartheid scheme of South Africa.

Following Lesotho’s independence in 1966 from Great Britain, the United States of America was among the original four nations to put an embassy in the country’s capital city, Maseru. Since this period, the American government and Lesotho have consistently kept warm bilateral affairs. Unfortunately in 1996, the bilateral assistance programme of the USA for Lesotho has ended. Currently, almost all of the U.S. aid to the country is being administered by the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) South African regional bureau located in Gaborone, Botswana, with an approximate total of $2 million, in 2004. The total U.S. assistance received by the country is more than $10 million, as well as humanitarian food support. Additionally, the U.S. Peace Corps has also been operating in the country since 1966, with 100 volunteers concentrating in the agriculture, education, health, rural community improvement and environment sectors.

esotho also encourages greater participation of Americans in the business section. It receives interest from possible U.S. suppliers and investors. In 2007, Lesotho and the Millennium Challenge Corporation entered a compact to give $362.5 million in aid for the country's private sector, water sector and healthcare infrastructure development.