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WORLD FACTBOOK (US)
Introduction: Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995 and subsequently succeeded by his son, King LETSIE III, in 1996. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswana military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional...
BACKGROUND NOTES (US)
History: Lesotho gained independence from Britain on October 4, 1966. In January 1970 the ruling Basotho National Party (BNP) appeared set to lose the first post-independence general elections when Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan annulled the election. He refused to cede power to the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) and imprisoned its leadership.
The BNP ruled by decree until January 1986 ...
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COUNTRY PROFILE (UK)
International Relations: Lesotho is a land-locked country and is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. There are close political, cultural and economic links between the two countries and a Joint Bilateral Commission on Co-operation to handle practical matters.
Lesotho's Relations with the UK
There are long historical links between the UK and Lesotho. Several hundred British citizens live and work in Lesotho. Relations remain strong, despite the closure of the British High Commission in 2005. There are a number of British NGOs operating in Lesotho.
There are special links with Wales (Dolen ...
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