Outrage in Lesotho over Trump’s “unknown country” statement

Lesotho’s foreign minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, has expressed dissatisfaction over President Donald Trump’s remarks about Lesotho being a “little-known nation” during his Congress address on March 4, 2025.

Mpotjoane stated that Trump’s behavior is not what one would expect from a rational leader, and that the president should “speak for himself.”

Trump’s comments drew laughter from the audience, including Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

However, Mpotjoane highlighted the irony of Trump’s remark, given that the US maintains an embassy in Lesotho.

He suggested that Trump’s remarks seemed to target Lesotho due to its economic status, cautioning that the US might one day find itself in need of Lesotho’s assistance.

Interestingly, while Trump was making his remarks, his advisor Elon Musk was actively pursuing business opportunities in Lesotho.

Musk met with Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Sam Matekane, to discuss launching his Starlink internet service in the country.

Starlink has applied for a 10-year operating license in Lesotho, as part of its efforts to expand across Africa.

Mpotjoane also addressed Trump’s criticism of US foreign aid, specifically mentioning an $8 million allocation for LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho.

The foreign minister stated that he was unaware of the $8 million contract Trump referenced, as USAID funding primarily flowed through non-governmental organizations.

Lesotho has benefited from American support through USAID, which contributed more than $44 million last year.

However, the agency’s dismantling and the widespread termination of U.S. foreign aid contracts have disproportionately affected Africa compared to other regions.

The US assistance has been vital in enabling Lesotho to provide life-saving treatment to over 200,000 individuals living with HIV.

The government has labeled the budget cuts as a significant setback, resulting in the layoff of at least 1,500 health workers, which constitutes around 7% of the nation’s healthcare workforce.

This is not the first instance of Trump making derogatory comments about Africa.

During his initial term, he infamously used a vulgar term, shithole, to describe certain African nations.

Lesotho

Lesotho is a small, landlocked country located in southern Africa, completely surrounded by South Africa.

It has a population of approximately 2.1 million people and a total area of around 30,355 square kilometers.

The country’s terrain is characterized by high mountains, with the highest peak being Thabane Ntlenyane, which stands at 3,482 meters above sea level.

Lesotho gained independence from British colonial rule on October 4, 1966.

The country has a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system, with the king serving as head of state and the prime minister as head of government.

Lesotho has a diverse economy, with a strong focus on agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. The country is also rich in natural resources, including water, diamonds, and clay.

Lesotho has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving living standards in recent years.

However, the country still faces several development challenges, including high levels of unemployment, inequality, and HIV/AIDS prevalence. Lesotho has a relatively high life expectancy rate, with an average lifespan of 56 years.

The country also has a high literacy rate, with approximately 85% of the population able to read and write.

Lesotho has a unique culture, with a strong emphasis on traditional music, dance, and art.

The country is home to several ethnic groups, including the Sotho, who make up the majority of the population.

Lesotho is also known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the Maluti Mountains, the Senqu River, and the Katse Dam, which is one of the largest dams in Africa.

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