Lesotho's Foreign Minister says he was “disappointing” to listen to President Donald Trump saying that no one has heard of the small African country during his congress speech on Tuesday.
“It is surprising and disappointing that he has affirmed that no one knows Lesotho,” said Minister Discane Mpotjoane on Wednesday, a day after Trump made the derogatory comment that generated a laugh through the United States Congress.
“He should speak for himself and not generalize,” Mpotjoane continued, adding that he believes that the president attacked Lesotho because he is not rich, but warned that one day the United States can resort to him in search of support.
During his 100 -minute voice, Trump made fun of his own mention of the nation without a coastline, which is surrounded by South Africa, consulting why the United States has foreign aid contracts with the country.
“Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, of which no one has heard,” Trump said, while vice president JD Vance and the president of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, broke smiles behind the podium.
Lesotho is a long -standing American financial assistance receiver. For almost two decades he has received funds through USAID, which sent more than $ 44 million last year.
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When asked about Trump's comment about the promotion of LGBTQ2+ rights in Lesotho, Foreign Minister said he was not aware of the $ 8 million contract mentioned above because USAID financing is distributed mainly through non -governmental organizations.
Despite Trump's incomparable dismissal about the country's existence, Elon Musk has close links with Lesotho.
Musk, who runs the newly coined government efficiency department (Doge), met with Lesotho's Prime Minister Sam Matekane, last September about the establishment of Starlink access for the 2.3 million inhabitants of the country.
Starlink, a Spacex subsidiary, is Musk's Internet satellite supplier and has requested a license to operate in Lesotho.
Lesotho's communications authority confirmed in February that he had He received Starlink's offer for a 10 -year license.
On September 24, Matekane shared photos taken at a meeting with Musk. “The exciting developments are ahead,” he wrote.
The company is forcing contracts in numerous African countries and is already Available in much of the continentEven in Nigeria, Kenia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, which is about 491 km north of the capital of Lesotho, Maseru, where there is also an embassy from the United States.
– With Associated Press files
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