2. Lesotho political divisions Pro and anti-monarchical Party
political Religious (Catholic and Protestant) Antagonism between
the army and police Antagonism between army factions
3. History Lesothos 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 Africas policies of racial segregation at
bay.
4. 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.
5. 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,
Jonathans party wins an election by a large majority and the BNP is
in charge of Lesotho when it takes full independence in 1966.
6. Armed struggle The BCP attempts a coup in 1974 and its
leader Ntsu Mokhehle goes into exile to conduct an armed campaign
against Jonathans government from South African soil. This
precipitates a period of hostility between Pretoria and Maseru.
Jonathans stance shifts to the left, and he becomes increasingly
open to socialist regimes, resulting in the blockade of the country
by South Africa.
7. Enter the army
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Sowing the seeds of sedition The BNP responds by expressing
its concerns that the BCPs 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Invasion
19. 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.
20. Government by coalition
21. 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.
22. 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 Mosisilis
Democratic Congress wins the majority of single seats, but Tom
Thabane becomes Prime Minister through a coalition agreement.
23. 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.
24. 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.