A brief history of Lesotho politics.

2. Turmoil in Lesotho
A simple guide

3. Lesotho political divisions
Pro and anti-monarchical
Party political
Religious (Catholic and Protestant)
Antagonism between the army and police
Antagonism between army factions

4. History
• Lesotho’s modern political architecture is created during the
campaign for independence from Great Britain.
• The first significant political party in modern history is the Basutoland
African Congress, which is later named the Basutoland Congress Party
(BCP).
• It seeks self-rule, while attempting to keep neighbouring South
Africa’s policies of racial segregation at bay.

5. Political Structure
• Once it becomes clear that independence
is a possibility, a host of other parties
spring up to participate in a national
legislature and the BCP itself begins to
splinter.
• The Basutoland National Party (BNP) is set
up by a conservative faction of the BCP led
by Chief Leabua Jonathan.

6. Divisions
• In elections for the National Legislature in 1960, the Basutoland
Congress Party takes 32 of the 40 available seats.
• The internal divisions in the party lead to mass defections to the
Basutoland National Party of Jonathan.
• Shortly before independence, Jonathan’s party wins an election by a
large majority and the BNP is in charge of Lesotho when it takes full
independence in 1966.

7. Armed struggle
• The BCP attempts a coup in 1974 and its leader Ntsu Mokhehle goes
into exile to conduct an armed campaign against Jonathan’s
government from South African soil.
• This precipitates a period of hostility between Pretoria and Maseru.
• Jonathan’s stance shifts to the left, and he becomes increasingly open
to socialist regimes, resulting in the blockade of the country by South
Africa.

8. Enter the army

9. Enter the army
• The Lesotho Defence Force, under Major-General Justin Lekhanya,
stages a coup deposing Jonathan in 1986.
• The new military government gives executive powers to the king, who
has hitherto been a constitutional monarch.
• But this is overturned and the military takes full control, forcing King
Moshoeshoe into exile in Britain.

10. Enter the army
• Lekhanya, accused of corruption and of allowing rampant corruption,
is forced out by his own soldiers in 1991.
• Two of his ministers, Tom Thabane and Evaristus Sekhonyana, flee the
country after accusations of misappropriation of vast sums of money.

11. And the army splits
• Colonel Elias Rameama becomes the new military leader of Lesotho,
but the army itself is split.
• Many military personnel have vested interests in maintaining political
control in order to cover up corruption and other illegal activities
under military rule.
• A ban on political activity is lifted in 1991, after a new constitution
ensures there will be no prosecution for those in the military involved
in illegal activities during military rule.

12. Return to civilian rule
• Thirteen parties contest the 1993 election, most significant among
them being the BCP and the BNP.
• The Lesotho people go to the polls with a constitution that is vague
on control of the military.
• The BCP, with a history of armed struggle, wins every available seat,
and Dr Ntsu Mokhehle is sworn in as prime minister.

13. Sowing the seeds of sedition
• The BNP responds by expressing its concerns that the BCP’s armed
wing still exists, and says this poses a threat to the Lesotho Defence
Force.
• Soldiers, who are already feeling marginalised, demand a 100% pay
rise in 1994.

14. Divisions in the military
• After skirmishes between the rival Mokoanyane and Ramatjose
military factions (named after where they were based during the first
skirmish), Mokhele asks for the intervention of the South African
government.
• Although the situation escalates dramatically, South Africa does not
intervene, and the soldiers eventually stand down after minimal
bloodshed.

15. Mutiny
• In April 1994, mutinous soldiers arrest four cabinet ministers.
• Police go on strike, and following negotiations on their behalf by the
BNP, manage to secure a deal granting them indemnity from
prosecution for all but criminal acts.
• This intervention creates a perception that there is an alliance
between the police and the BNP, further polarising the country.

17. Regional intervention
• In August, King Letsie III announces the dismissal of the prime
minister and the dissolution of Parliament.
• A summit in Pretoria on 25 August, attended by the king, prime
minister Mokhehle, the presidents of South Africa, Zimbabwe and
Botswana and by the secretary-general of the OAU, Salim Ahmed
Salim, marks the beginning of regional intervention.

18. The splintering of the BCP
• In 1997, Prime Minister Ntsu
Mokhehle leaves the BCP to form
the new Lesotho Congress for
Democracy, but retires soon after.
• Pakalitha Mosisili becomes the new
party leader and prime minister
after the LCD wins the 1998 general
election.
• Once again there are allegations of
vote-rigging, and angry voters
storm parliament.

19. The tipping point
• In 1998, clashes break out between police and protesters, and the
army and police, and later senior officers are taken hostage by
Lesotho Defence Force members.
• The commander of the defence force resigns.

20. Invasion

21. Invasion
• The South African National Defence Force crosses into Lesotho on 22
September 1998, followed by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
• “Operation Boleas” restores order and allows the Lesotho police to
regain control of the country.

22. Government by coalition

23. Government by coalition
• South Africa brokers a new deal between the various political parties
that allows for an Interim Political Authority ahead of fresh elections
in 2000.
• A decision is taken to increase the number of seats in Parliament by
50 to incorporate a system of proportional representivity, seeing in a
series of coalition governments.

24. Government by coalition
• Elections are eventually held in 2002, resulting in another landslide
victory for the LCD.
• In 2006, ahead of elections scheduled for the following year, Tom
Thabane leaves the LCD to form the All Basotho Convention. The LCD
takes the 2007 election, winning 61 of 80 seats.
• In 2012 Mosisili’s Democratic Congress wins the majority of single
seats, but Tom Thabane becomes Prime Minister through a coalition
agreement.

25. Assassination claims
• As hostilities once again escalate, Thabane flees Lesotho in 2014
claiming the army is attempting yet another coup and intends to
assassinate him.
• South Africa intervenes, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa
brokers negotiations between the parties.
• This results in a snap election in 2015. In a reversal of fortunes,
Mosisili comes to power through a coalition agreement with the
smaller parties.

26. Assassination claims
• In 2015, Thabane flees,
claiming his life is once again
being threatened, and that
army officers are attempting
to take over the country.
• On June 25,
former Lesotho Defence Force
commander Maaparankoe
Mahao is shot dead by troops,
after having survived an
attempt on his life in 2014.