Lesotho’s Basotho Action Party (BAP) has launched a major campaign urging the abolition of passport requirements for cross-border travel between Lesotho and South Africa — a move that could reshape regional mobility in southern Africa.

The initiative, spearheaded by BAP leader Nqosa Mahao, calls on the government in Maseru to engage with Pretoria to allow citizens of both nations to use national identity cards for cross-border travel, residency, and employment. The proposed agreement aims to simplify movement, boost trade, and reflect the deep cultural and economic interdependence between the two countries.

Key Proposals from the BAP

In its formal petition, the BAP outlined several core demands:

• Use of national ID cards in place of passports for entry between Lesotho and South Africa.

• Freedom of employment and residence, allowing citizens to live and work across borders without special permits.

• Access to healthcare and education under a reciprocal arrangement between the two nations.

• Participation in local elections for residents, wherever they reside within the partner country.

According to Mahao, these measures would not undermine the sovereignty of either nation. Instead, he argues, they would enhance mutual integration, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and reflect the reality that thousands of Basotho already live and work in South Africa — many of them commuting daily across the border.

“Our people share families, economies, and futures,” Mahao said during a press briefing. “It is only logical that our identity cards — not just passports — should serve as the key to movement and opportunity.”

A Step Toward Regional Integration

Analysts note that the proposal aligns with broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) goals promoting the free movement of people and goods across member states. While South Africa maintains strict border controls due to migration pressures, the BAP’s campaign reflects growing public sentiment in Lesotho that current travel restrictions are outdated and economically limiting.

Lesotho’s unique geographic situation being entirely surrounded by South Africa further amplifies calls for relaxed border protocols. Thousands of Basotho citizens rely on South Africa for employment, healthcare, and higher education, making cross-border mobility a daily necessity rather than a luxury.

Balancing Sovereignty and Cooperation

Despite its ambitious vision, the proposal faces potential hurdles. South Africa has consistently emphasized security and immigration control, particularly amid concerns over undocumented migration and resource strain. Any bilateral agreement would therefore require rigorous legal and administrative frameworks to manage verification, employment rights, and data protection.

Still, observers argue that the proposal marks a significant step toward a new kind of regional diplomacy, one that places human mobility at the center of development policy.

If adopted, Lesotho and South Africa could become a model for seamless regional integration in southern Africa, potentially inspiring similar arrangements across the continent.would make a strong analytical companion to this main article.