Key points:
- Trump calls Lesotho a country ‘nobody has ever heard of’
- Lesotho’s government expresses shock, citing US ties
- US aid cuts impact Lesotho’s HIV and TB programmes
LESOTHO has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s remark dismissing the country as one ‘nobody has ever heard of.’ Trump made the comment during his address to Congress, justifying cuts to US foreign aid, including funding for LGBTQ+ initiatives in the southern African nation.
According to the BBC, Lesotho’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, said it was ‘shocking’ for a head of state to refer to another sovereign nation in such a manner, especially given the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Lesotho’s ties with the US
Trump’s comments came as he outlined budget cuts, including an $8 million allocation to LGBTQ+ programmes in Lesotho, a statement that prompted laughter from some US lawmakers. However, Lesotho officials dismissed his remarks as a ‘political statement’ that did not reflect the strong relationship between the two nations.
‘To my surprise, “the country that nobody has heard of” is home to a US embassy and several US organisations,’ Mpotjoane told the BBC.
Lesotho is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants favourable trade access to certain African nations. In 2024, trade between the US and Lesotho reached $240 million, primarily in textiles and clothing exports.
The government confirmed it would send a formal protest letter to Washington over Trump’s comments.
Impact of US aid cuts on Lesotho’s healthcare
Beyond diplomatic tensions, Lesotho has also felt the effects of Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid, particularly in public health. As part of a broader cost-cutting drive, the Trump administration permanently ended the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a programme launched in 2003 under former President George W. Bush.
PEPFAR had been a critical source of funding for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) programmes in Lesotho, providing life-saving treatment and support. With the cuts, healthcare providers are now struggling to maintain essential services, leaving thousands at risk.
Despite these challenges, Mpotjoane refrained from directly criticising the aid freeze, stating it was ‘the US’s prerogative to cut aid if they want to.’
As Lesotho moves forward, the government remains committed to maintaining diplomatic ties with the US while navigating the impact of funding reductions on its most vulnerable populations.
