France–Lesotho relations

France–Lesotho relations are bilateral relations between the sovereign states of France and Lesotho. France has an embassy in Maseru, Lesotho,^[1] while Lesotho doesn't have an embassy in Paris.

France–Lesotho relations

France	Lesotho

History

Historically, France and Lesotho have had good relations, due to the presence of French Protestant Missionaries in 1820. In 1868 these missionaries warned the king of Lesotho at the time, Moshoeshoe I to make Lesotho a British protectorate because of the expansion of the Boers, thus, sparing the kingdom from Apartheid.^[2]

Modern relations

While relations are modest, they are good shown by visits to France by Letsie III for the Africa-France Summit in 2007, and COP-21 in 2015, and a visit to Lesotho by Jean-Marie Bockel in 2007.

References

1. "France embassies in Lesotho". embassies.org.
2. étrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "Lesotho". France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.