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So most folks on here know that I study #Lesotho but also live in the USA.
I have a few random thoughts on how these two things intersect in the light of this week's (ongoing) events in Washington DC. This might only be interesting to me, but here goes anyway.
I have a few random thoughts on how these two things intersect in the light of this week's (ongoing) events in Washington DC. This might only be interesting to me, but here goes anyway.
First, I am sick-and-tired of the trite (and false!) discourse in the USA where talking heads, pundits, and even well-respected journalists use some form of describing the wild rioters/insurrectionists as being 'like a banana republic' or 'Third World.'
In addition to the abject imperialism and condescension wrapped up in those phrasings and assumptions, even if you ignored that, well,
IT JUST ISN'T TRUE!
Take #Lesotho with its many coups--Parliament has *NEVER* been stormed at the behest of the Head of State or anyone else
IT JUST ISN'T TRUE!
Take #Lesotho with its many coups--Parliament has *NEVER* been stormed at the behest of the Head of State or anyone else
Second, political leaders have immense power in mobilizing their supporters: Words matter.
Dismissing things as 'just words' or 'simply someone blowing off steam' does a disservice to the way that people hear things, esp from powerful folks
Dismissing things as 'just words' or 'simply someone blowing off steam' does a disservice to the way that people hear things, esp from powerful folks
Asking leaders to temper rhetoric and be responsible is far different from keeping ordinary folks from saying things. Power differentials matter; those with power have as the old adage says greater responsibility.
So please keep calling out leaders using irresponsible language
So please keep calling out leaders using irresponsible language
Finally, and this is while events are still unfolding in the USA and different truths may emerge, but it looks like the majority of security forces declined to participate in the violence/incitement of the other day, but (and this is important)...
...it also looks like the security forces were made to stand down in such a way as to allow the violence to at least commence before it could be contained. At the least, folks in power knew how tangled the webs of command were in a federal jurisdiction and made use of it
So how can this happen in a 'mature' democracy? Simple--yes men in positions of power and influence. There have been multiple purges (including at the Pentagon after the election) and this has left a denuded chain of command with loyalists in key places.
And this is where the USA events intersect with #Lesotho affairs. I think the USA was quite lucky this time that there was not more time for those who wished for undemocratic ends to fully realize their plans with security forces. It could happen in the future
So when folks in #Lesotho talk the bland language of 'depoliticizing the security forces' it is a deadly serious matter, especially if #democracy and popular representation matter to you. Too many Lesotho coup and coup attempts have been aided and abetted by security folks
So I will end by saying that I sincerely hope for two things:
1) USA--accountability for folks who took part *and* those who incited
2) Lesotho--that the Reforms Process (and other initiatives) succeed in continuing the de-politicization of security forces
/end
1) USA--accountability for folks who took part *and* those who incited
2) Lesotho--that the Reforms Process (and other initiatives) succeed in continuing the de-politicization of security forces
/end
