post election musings - lcd builds on mud

Today I approved a few comments to my blog. I have not had a chance to read them all, I skimmed and scanned them to ensure that they were free of invectives which all of them were. If I missed any the error is entirely mine. I also received a call from a close friend whose comment was "I read this and knew it was you, go ahead deny it!", I also note that Nkokoto (not his real name) has accussed me of maintaining anonymity while I accuse others of using anonymity to libel and slander. He has put forth good reasons for me not to maintain my anonymity and equally good reasons why a should maintain it. For now, I chose to be anonymous, at least to those who might victimise me because of the stance I have taken and the can of worms I am potentially opening. I promise to address all your comments, I don't have all the answers, just my opinion. Where more info is needed I will seek it if possible.

I also wanted to share some of my post elections musing with you. I wrote two articles immediately after the elections, the first one has already been posted to this forum with the heading LCD Wins Elections, ABC the heart of Lesotho. The second article is attached below and focuses on the LCD. I reread this article after I hung-up with the caller I refered to earlier, he said "How can you hire people, and somebody else tells them when to go to work, and when not to go to work and you still say you are in control?"

LCD Builds on Mud

Chapter Nine of Nicollò Machiavelli’s seminal treatise on government, “The Prince”, quotes the proverb “He who builds on the people, builds on mud”. The chapter deals with what Machiavelli terms “civil principalities”. These kinds of principalities are analogous to modern governments. LCD’s election victory reminded me of this old proverb and made me reach for my bedside copy of Machiavelli’s most infamous work.

Machiavelli asserts that governments that are transitioning between civil and absolute order are insecure because their leaders rule either personally through their charisma or through magistrates (the civil service). LCD’s leader depends on the magistracy to rule, thus he is completely dependent on the goodwill of those citizens that have been elevated to the magistracy. Machiavelli observes that unfortunately, especially in tumultuous times; the magistracy can destroy the government with ease, either by intrigue or through open defiance. Citizens interact with the civil services much more than they interact with politicians, and are used to obeying them, thus they will be more inclined to take orders from the civil services than politicians.

When forming his government, Mosisili would do well to heed Machiavelli’s advice. The ABC has won over the hearts of the magistracy; he on the other hand has the mandate of the people. Unfortunately for the LCD, its mandate is dependent on those who do not have a significant role in the economic activities or governance of the country. The rural dwellers have very little interaction with the government, and where they do have business with government, it is as dependents rather than partners or informed consumers. Thus their allegiance to the LCD can be swayed by their interaction with the civil service. If discontent in the civil service is allowed to fester, it will trickle to the grass roots; Mosisili needs the civil service to rule, it does not need him. The LCD then, would do well to mend bridges with the civil service and ensure that it reaches out to its nascent but very powerful adversary. The other old proverb “Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer” has never been more apt.

Fundamentally, Mosisili’s government needs to distance itself from obsequious and myopic advisors. The LCD, like the ABC, needs to establish a policy think-tank that can tackle the various policy challenges facing the country. Unlike the ABC, the LCD being the government of the day can, use the ABC supporter’s taxes to pay for the service. After all, it is part of the proposed Vision 2020 interventions. Incidentally, the constitution also calls for the establishment of a National Planning Board, the think-tank could very easily serve as the Planning Board’s secretariat and ensure that the Planning Board’s reflections and deliberations are guided by policy priorities and expert research and opinion.

Transparency, Accountability and Openness

A lot of observers and political analysts, use the terms openness, transparency and accountability synonymously, they are not; accountability is about being able to explain the decision that one made within a specific context, as well as accepting responsibility for those decisions. Accountability is thus post facto, transparency on the other hand is about having the decision making process itself being made visible, and openness is more radical in that it allows for participation in the decision making process itself. Because of its past arrogance; the Mercedes Benz saga, the ill-timed and ill-advised Camry to Lexus issue, etc.; the LCD government has an obligation to transition from a just accountability to openness or ‘radical honesty’ as it is sometimes called. There is nothing that will win over the civil services more quickly or root out the cancerous corruption that has tainted the civil service. The civil service needs to be reminded that they are the servants of the people and that their duty is facilitation not obstruction. I am confident that my musings on this subject will resonate with many that have been the victims of the civil services’ ineptitude and nonchalance.

Eradication of Foot in Mouth Disease

Mosisili’s invectives, which have characterised the LCD election campaign need to be nipped in the bud. The party elders have a duty to chastise their leader and offer sagacious advice, if I were them my advice would be “think twice, speak once”. He after all, speaks on their behalf and whatever he says is assumed to have their blessing. The prime minister is advised to obtain the service of a professional communication counselor and above all to heed their advice. He would do well to ensure that others in his party, particularly pretenders to his throne, keep their mouths firmly closed lest they put their feet in them.

Elected representatives need to be seen to be supporting state institutions and having confidence in them. The open criticism of the police and the tendency of ministers to parlé their opinions as if they are of no consequence must be controlled; by the very definition of their job, ministers cannot have opinions, what comes from their mouths is either policy or fact. They too, would do well to engage brain before mouth.

Role of Ministers

The minister’s first task, like any other manager is to direct resources to achieve results. Directing resources requires a conductor not a fiddler, the conductor hears and sees the whole orchestra, the fiddler only his fiddle. Thus ministers must immerse themselves in the problems of the country and understand their piece of the puzzle; however, given that they are conductors they should not lose sight of the whole. Above all, ministers as leaders must lead, their leadership must be assertive and manifest, the country can no longer afford pusillanimous leadership. Mosisili as the capo di tutti capi, must wield an axe and be prepared to use it.