Lesotho: the new party RFP leads the elections, according to the first results
The leader of the new RFP party, entrepreneur Sam Matekane, in front of supporters in Maseru, October 8, 2022. AFP - MARCO LONGARI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The results are still being announced in Lesotho, but one party is already celebrating its victory.
The Revolution for Prosperity Party (RFP) is well ahead in the elections in the constituencies published by the Independent Electoral Commission.
This party was created in March by Sam Matekane, said to be the richest man in the kingdom of Lesotho.
An entrepreneur who made his fortune in the diamond mines.
His success made him and his philanthropic works popular.
His supporters see him as the savior of Lesotho and celebrated the early results as a victory.
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With our special correspondent in Maseru,
Romain Chanson
As a symbol, the first results to be revealed come from the constituency of the outgoing Prime Minister.
And it is a heavy defeat for the ruling party (ABC) in favor of Nthati Moorosi, candidate and general secretary of the Revolution for Prosperity Party (RFP).
“
The Basotho have been hoping for this kind of leader for a long time, a leader who has his own victories in entrepreneurship, someone who is there only to serve the people.
»
At the end of the afternoon, the militants of the RFP gather in front of the headquarters of Sam Matekane.
The unofficial results that come from the field disinhibit them.
Retabile celebrates its leader.
“
When we were little, he was an inspiration.
He did a lot of things for this country, on a voluntary basis, this guy is great.
The only person I admire more than him is my father.
»
Sam Matekane comes out of his hotel, greets his supporters, and gives us a few words.
"
I'm very happy ", he
confides
, celebrating what he already considers "
a victory
".
still, we have to wait for the results of the Electoral Commission.
»
Protected by his security service, Sam Matekane rushes into a luxurious 4X4 and leaves.
Already popular and immensely wealthy, the 64-year-old has just taken on another dimension.
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