Warden Message: Lesotho Attempted Assassination of Prime Minister

OSAC.gov ^ | April 22, 2009 | n/a

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report Warden Message: Lesotho Attempted Assassination of Prime Minister CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS Sub-Saharan Africa - Lesotho 22 Apr 2009

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U.S. Embassy Maseru issued the following Warden Message on April 22:

This warden message alerts U.S. citizens to security incidents that occurred in the early morning hours of April 22, 2009, in Maseru.

Local media are reporting the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili on April 22. Following this incident, sustained gunfire was heard in Maseru West, and gunshots were also exchanged in the areas surrounding Ratjomose Military Barracks, Makoanyane Military Barracks and the National Abattoir between 3:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Following the incident, three assailants fleeing the Prime Minister’s residence carjacked a combi-bus/taxi in Thetsane Extension. Reports indicate some of the assailants were killed and others apprehended by police, who are still actively seeking other suspects. There is no indication of Americans being targeted, and all gunfire appears to have ceased at this time.

The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to remain alert at all times and to consider of the potential for crime throughout Lesotho. We remind American citizens that they should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy continues to encourage U.S. citizens living in or traveling in Lesotho to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Lesotho. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. Embassy in Maseru is located at 254 Kingsway Avenue, tel. (266) 2231-2666. The after-hours emergency telephone number is (266) 5888-4035. Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The U.S. Embassy website is http://maseru.usembassy.gov/.

[Redbob]

Here's how you do headlines like this:

"Warden Message: Lesotho Attempted Assassination of Prime Minister (insert name of country here)"

See?

[SatinDoll]

Where the hell is Lesotho!?

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

I don’t recognize any of the names here. Is this a fictional story?

[csvset]

Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave — entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa

[SatinDoll]

Thank you.

I recognized Lesotho as being associated with South Africa, but couldn’t think of why an assination would be attempted.

Politics are so fluid south of the Sahara I thought there may be ANOTHER Lesotho somewhere in Africa.