Lesotho Passport Crisis: No End in Sight

A severe backlog in issuing passports continues in Lesotho. This is despite a government plan to fix the problem. The crisis causes major delays for citizens. Students miss study abroad chances. Workers cannot take jobs in other countries. Families remain separated. Officials blame old systems, broken machines, and not enough staff. They started working on weekends to print more passports. But demand is far greater than supply. Many people now use expensive "agents." They promise faster service. Critics call this a corrupt system that exploits desperate citizens. The government says new passport printers are coming. It has not said when the backlog will finally clear. For now, Basotho citizens wait. Their dreams for travel, work, and education are stuck in the queue.