Lesotho’s Foreign Minister expressed profound dismay Wednesday following remarks by the American president dismissing the African nation as a country “nobody has ever heard of” during his address to Congress. The diplomatic slipu came during a speech highlighting budget cuts, specifically an $8 million program supporting LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho.
“I’m really shocked that my country can be referred to like that by a head of state,” the Foreign Minister stated, describing the comment as “quite insulting” to the nation of 2 million people. The remarks, which elicited laughter from American lawmakers, have sparked indignation throughout the mountainous kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa.
Often called “The Kingdom in the Sky” for having the highest average elevation of any country globally, Lesotho officials responded to the remarks with a diplomatic invitation rather than retribution. “Lesotho is such a significant and unique country in the whole world. I would be happy to invite the president, as well as the rest of the world, to come to Lesotho,” the Foreign Minister added.
While acknowledging that some civil society organizations supporting LGBTQ+ communities receive American funding, officials emphasized that U.S. assistance extends far beyond these programs to crucial health and agricultural initiatives. These sectors now face uncertainty amid aggressive foreign aid reductions aligned with the “America First” policy.
The budget cuts have already impacted Lesotho’s health infrastructure, which has historically relied on international assistance. Government officials indicated they are developing strategies to become more self-sufficient in response.
“The decision to cut aid is the president’s prerogative. We have to accept that. But to refer to my country like that is quite unfortunate,” the Foreign Minister said.