World Country Guide

History and Government

History
The Basotho only emerged as a nation around 1820 when Moshoeshoe the Great gathered the remnants of tribes scattered by Zulu and Matabele raids and established a stronghold at Butha-Buthe, and later on the mountain of Thaba-Bosiu, about 30km (20 miles) from what is now Maseru. In 1868, Moshoeshoe placed himself and his people under the protection of the British government. The Kingdom of Lesotho under King Moshoeshoe II became independent in 1966. The nation is an amalgamation of mainly Sesotho-speaking people, with some 20 per cent originally of Nguni descent, and the rest San, Griqua, Indian and European. From independence to the late 1980s, Lesotho’s politics were dominated by the Basutoland National Party (BNP), a conservatively inclined party initially favouring a policy of accommodation with South Africa, led by Chief Leabua Jonathan.

His autocratic style of rule drew strong opposition, both political and paramilitary, in the form of the Lesotho Liberation Army, which received South African backing after Jonathan showed signs of tolerating the ANC. On 20 January 1986, Chief Jonathan was overthrown in a coup by Major General J.M. Lekhanya. Although the South African government vehemently denied any involvement, the new regime proved more amenable to South African regional security policies. In any event, Lesotho’s political options were constrained by South Africa: Pretoria’s closure of the border during 1983, which precipitated severe food shortages within Lesotho, was a telling reminder of South African power. Lekhanya clashed on several occasions with King Moshoeshoe, but in 1991 both Moshoeshoe and Lekhanya were overthrown by a group of army officers under General Elias Ramaema.

The throne passed to Moshoeshoe’s son, the present King Letsie III. General Ramaema promised a return to civilian rule, and elections for a new National Assembly were held in March 1993. The Basotho Congress Party (BCP) swept the board and party leader Ntsu Mokhehle became Prime Minister. Eighteen months later, Letsie tried to dissolve the parliament and assume all legislative and executive power. However, under heavy diplomatic pressure, he was forced to restore constitutional government the following month, and then abdicated in favour of Moshoeshoe.

Yet in late 1995, Moshoeshoe was killed in a car accident; Letsie succeeded him without controversy and undertook not to involve the monarchy in politics. Over the next 18 months, the BCP was riven by internal feuding, leading to the dissolution of the National Assembly and the calling of new elections in May 1998. At the subsequent poll, the BCP was all but wiped out in the National Assembly as the newly-formed opposition Lesotho Congress for Democracy, led by ex-Foreign Minister Pathtalika Mosilisi, took 58 of the 60 assembly seats. BCP supporters went on the rampage after the result, and the Government was forced to call upon South African assistance to restore law and order. Since then, however, Lesotho has enjoyed a period of welcome political stability. The 1998 result was repeated at the most recent poll in May 2002, with the Congress for Democracy winning an overwhelming majority once again and Mosilisi securing a second five-year term. In the immediate aftermath of the election Lesotho faced serious food shortages then affecting much of southern Africa – widespread starvation was averted on this occasion. The political arena has been dominated by a major corruption scandal involving construction contracts for the Highlands Water Venture. Several companies and individuals have since been convicted in an affair which has serious implications for development aid.

Overshadowing these and other issues in Lesotho is HIV/AIDS which affects an estimated one-third of the population. Along with other government in southern Africa, Lesotho faces an incalculable task to deal with the pandemic and its consequences.

Government
Lesotho is a hereditary monarchy. The king is head of state with no formal executive or legislative powers. Executive power rests with a cabinet led by the Prime Minister. Legislative power is held by the 65-seat National Assembly, which is elected for a maximum five-year term.