Lesotho: One party rule (1966-1986) (continued)

The Lesotho government's policy of dialogue with South Africa isolated Lesotho diplomatically in Africa and did not yield the economic benefits that had been anticipated. After the 1976 Soweto Uprising the government became increasingly critical of South Africa and supportative of the banned African National Congress, which was engaged in armed struggle against Pretoria, in the hope of gaining diplomatic and material support in sympathy for this stance (Institute of Security Studies 2003; Lodge et al 2002, 92-93). This was successful in that large amounts of foreign aid were made available, enabling the government to develop the educational and healthcare systems and upgrade transport and communications infrastructure (Lesotho Government Undated). This did not quell internal dissent and the popularity of the government continued to decline (Wikipedia 2007).

Relations with South Africa further deteriorated after LLA incursions from South African territory made it clear that South Africa was providing the BCP and it's armed wing with support (Encyclopedia of the Nations 2005; Lodge et al 2002, 92). After a brief rapprochement between the two countries in the early 1980's recriminations between them resumed, culminating in a South African incursion into Maseru in 1982 that led to the death of 42 people, including 12 Basothos (Institute of Security Studies 2003; Encyclopedia of the Nations 2005). Pretoria followed this up with economic pressure, restricting traffic flow into Lesotho in 1983, stepping up support for the opponents of Jonathan's government and further military attacks in 1984 (Institute of Security Studies 2003; Lodge et al 2002, 93).

The government attempted to bolster its legitimacy and satisfy the demands of foreign donors in 1985 by holding a national election, but the effort failed when all the opposition parties boycotted the poll and all the BNP candidates were returned unopposed (Lesotho Government Undated; Institute of Security Studies 2003). In late 1985 a further raid was conducted by South Africa and on 1 January it closed the border cutting off food and fuel from the Kingdom (Lodge et al 2002, 93, Encyclopedia of the Nations 2005). Five opposition leaders were arrested on returning from talks with the South African government and fighting broke our within the Royal Lesotho Defense Force (Saunders 2002, 524). On the 15 January the Royal Lesotho Defense Force surrounded government buildings and, after returning from talks with the South African government, on the 20 January the Royal Lesotho Defense Force executed a coup, disarming the BNP paramilitary youth wing, deposing the government of Jonathan, and dissolving the National Assembly (Lodge et al 2002, 93, Saunders 2002, 524). All executive power was vested in the King acing on the advice of a military Council of six, led by Maj Gen Justin Metsing Lekhanya, which oversaw a civilian cabinet appointed by the King (Encyclopedia of the Nations 2005; Wikipedia 2007; Institute of Security Studies 2003).

References

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE NATIONS 2005, "Lesotho History", Thomson Gale, [www] http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Lesotho-HISTORY.html [opens new window] (accessed 23 Oct 2007).

INSTITUTE OF SECURITY STUDIES 2003, "Lesotho: History and Politics", [www] http://www.iss.co.za/af/profiles/Lesotho/Politics.html [opens new window] (accessed 23 Oct 2007).

LESOTHO GOVERNMENT UNDATED, "History of the Basotho", [www] http://www.lesothoemb-usa.gov.ls/profile.htm [opens new window] (accessed 23 Oct 2007).

LODGE, T, KADIMA, D & POTTIE, D (eds) 2002 Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa, EISA.

SAUNDERS 2002, "Lesotho: Recent History" IN Murison, K (ed) Africa South of the Sahara 2002, Europa Publications.

WIKIPEDIA 2007, "History of Lesotho", [www] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Lesotho [opens new window] (accessed 23 Oct 2007).