Brief Description

The Collaborative Capacities program was established in late 2009 with joint support from UNDP, BCPR, and DPA to strengthen Basotho capacities for resolving differences.    A key goal has been to support the mediation efforts of the Christian Council of Lesotho to resolve the disputed 2007 election.    A second goal is to assist the IEC in establishing mechanisms for satisfactory resolution of upcoming elections.  A third is to expand the capacity of Basotho society broadly to negotiate differences successfully.

The leading actor in the mediation has been the Lesotho Council of Churches and an affiliated group of Heads of Churches who have been facilitating conversations among the political parties since mid-2009.   The Collaborative Capacities Project funded these talks and provided advisory support to the Heads of Churches.   In January 2011, a proposal created by a multiparty committee chaired by the Independent Electoral Commission is expected to be tabled by Parliament that will address many of the concerns raised in these talks.

Project Strategy:

In 2011 the Collaborative Capacities office will work alongside IEC officials in reviewing past causes of electoral conflicts and existing mechanisms for addressing disputes as they arise.   

In close consultation with party officials from all active political parties in Lesotho, proposals for strengthening these mechanisms will be developed and implemented, in readiness for the upcoming national election.

The Collaborative Capacities office will also sponsor a series of training events in 2011 to build capacities of government institutions and civil society in dispute resolution.   Targeted sectors will include political leaders, electoral officials, religious leaders, community and traditional leaders, the Ombudsman’s office and the educational sector.

More detailed description of expected outputs, indicators and strategies for 2011 will be announced in February 2011.

Contact:

Ronald Kraybill

ron.kraybill@undp.org