Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. Video
    4. Events
    5. In the Media
    6. Updates
    7. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us
Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on the Passing Away of HM Moshoeshoe II, King of Lesotho

16 January 1996

I have been deeply shocked to learn of the tragic and untimely death of His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II in a road accident in Lesotho yesterday. In his passing, not only has Lesotho lost a beloved Head of State but the entire Southern African region and the Commonwealth as a whole have lost a statesman of stature. History will not fail to record the important role which King Moshoeshoe II played in the national evolution of the Basotho people and his outstanding contribution to Commonwealth counsels over the years. I personally was fortunate to have known him and worked closely with him and can testify to his profound sense of patriotism and his abiding concern for Lesotho's stability and development.

At this difficult moment, I know that all his friends in the Commonwealth would want me to extend sincere condolences to the Government and people of Lesotho and to the bereaved family.

96/2 16 January 1996

Share this page
About this

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int