Security Council resolution 402 (1976) [Lesotho-South Africa]

Resolution 402 (1976) of 22 December 1976

The Security Council,

Having heard the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho on 21 December 1976,^[1]

Gravely concerned at the serious situation created by South Africa's closure of certain border posts between South Africa and Lesotho aimed at coercing Lesotho into according recognition to the bantustan Transkei,

Recalling relevant General Assembly resolutions, in particular resolution 3411 D (XXX) of 28 November 1975, condemning the establishment of bantustans and calling on all Governments to deny recognition to the bantustans,

Recalling further General Assembly resolution 31/6 A of 26 October 1976, on the so-called independent Transkei and other bantustans, which, inter alia, calls upon all Governments to deny any form of recognition to the so-called independent Transkei and to refrain from having any dealings with the so-called independent Transkei or other bantustans,

Noting with appreciation the decision of the Government of Lesotho not to recognize the bantistan Transkei in compliance with United Nations decisions,

Considering that the decision of Lesotho constitutes an important contribution to the realization of United Nations objectives in Southern Africa in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,

Taking note of the urgent and special economic needs of Lesotho arising from the closure of the border posts,

1. Endorses General Assembly resolution 31/6 A which, inter alia, calls upon all Governments to deny any form of recognition to the so-called independent Transkei and to regrain from having any dealings with the so-called independent Transkei or other bantustans,

2. Commends the Government of Lesotho for its decision not to recognize the so-called independence of the Transkei,

3. Condemns any action by South Africa intended to coerce Lesotho into according recognition to the bantustan Transkei;

4. Calls upon South Africa to take immediately all necessary steps to reopen the border posts;

5. Appeals to all States to provide immediate financial, technical and material assistance to Lesotho so that it can carry out its economic development programmes and enhance its capacity to implement fully the United Nations resolutions on apartheid and bantustans;

6. Requests the United Nations and the organizations and programmes concerned, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, the World Food Programme and all the United Nations specialized agencies, to assist Lesotho in the present situation and to consider periodically the question of economic assistance to Lesotho as envisaged in the present resolution;

7. Requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the appropriate organizations of the United Nations system, to organize, with immediate effect, all forms of financial, technical and material assistance to the Kingdom of Lesotho to enable it to overcome the economic difficulties arising from the closure of the border posts by South Africa owing to the refusal of Lesotho to recognize the so-called independence of the Transkei;

8. Further requests the Secretary-General to keep the situation under constant review, to maintain close liaison with Member States, regional and other intergovernmental organizations, the specialized agencies and international financial institutions. and to report to the Security Council at its subsequent meeting on the question;

9. Decides to remain seized of the question.

Adopted at the 1982nd meeting by consensus.

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1 Ibid., Thirty-first Year, 1981st meeting.