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Tom Thabane. (Reuters)

Events in Lesotho point to poor prospects for political stability

Since the demand for resources far outmatches the patronage available, Lesotho’s political arena has become brutally competitive

Murders plague Lesotho politics

The prime minister has been questioned by the police, plunging the country into another crisis

With the retirement of Pakalitha Mosisili from politics in January comes the opportunity for a younger generation of opposition leaders to challenge the position of
current Prime Minister Tom Thabane and his party.(Xinhua/AFP)

Goodbye to the godfather of Lesotho politics

Pakalitha Mosisili has been the pre-eminent power broker for decades. What will the Mountain Kingdom look like without him?

Shaun Abrahams is prosecuting soldiers accused of murdering an army commander in June 2015. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Shaun’s new job: Murder in Lesotho

SA’s former NPA boss will prosecute the Mountain Kingdom’s most politically sensitive case

Tom Thabane. (Reuters)

Fractures weaken Lesotho’s ruling party

The rowdiness that marked the All Basotho Convention’s navel-gazing “sabbatical conference” gave a new twist to the leadership battle in the party

Although tragic

New Lesotho murders highlight need for military reform

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, elected in June, has pledged repeatedly to reduce the power of the military.

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s party won elections in June

Lesotho army commander ‘shot dead’ by soldiers

Official says Lieutenant General Khoantle Motsomotso was shot by soldiers who had recently been fired.

No prime minister has served a full five-year term over the past decade. Now it appears Majoro and his ruling coalition may not be able to escape this chaotic political cycle. (Oupa Nkosi)

Lesotho needs a new electoral system

Parties should announce coalitional plans prior to the election so that voters can more properly gauge expected outcomes.

A notice published in the Government Gazette by Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande last month said 33% of students could return to campus under level 3.

Overpopulation is not Lesotho’s biggest problem

The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho recently held its third general election in the last five years.

No prime minister has served a full five-year term over the past decade. Now it appears Majoro and his ruling coalition may not be able to escape this chaotic political cycle. (Oupa Nkosi)

Mysterious murder casts dark shadows over the Mountain Kingdom

Lipolelo Thabane’s death plunges Lesotho into yet another period of dangerous political instability.

Tom Thabane. (Reuters)

Who is Thomas Thabane, and why is Lesotho’s army so scared of him?

In an interview, Tom Thabane outlines his ambitious – perhaps too ambitious – reform agenda.

No prime minister has served a full five-year term over the past decade. Now it appears Majoro and his ruling coalition may not be able to escape this chaotic political cycle. (Oupa Nkosi)

Lesotho’s Groundhog Day election

The mountain kingdom’s politicians keep playing the same old game, with the same frustrating results

Southern Africa Development Community mission police were brought in to watch over elections.

Army and state threaten Lesotho inquiry

The SADC commission looking into violence and political instability in the mountain kindgom is being hamstrung.

Lesotho PM Pakalitha Mosisili.

Lesotho PM under fire at SADC summit

Pakalitha Mosisili came under fire after he objected to the terms of reference of the organisation’s inquiry into security conditions in his country.

Former Lesotho prime minister flees to South Africa

Former Lesotho prime minister Tom Thabane says he fears for his life and is asking for protection.

Snap Lesotho election reveals no outright winner

The final results of a vote in Lesotho, called after an alleged coup attempt by the army, show the kingdom is heading for a coalition government.

In some of the countries having elections this year, the results will not only be determined by what happens on polling day.

Lesotho prime minister takes early lead in poll

Prime Minister Tom Thabane’s All Basotho Convention took an early lead in Lesotho’s snap elections as counting continued on Sunday.

Lesotho prepares for vote in bid to ease political crisis

Campaigning has been largely peaceful but analysts say tensions are high before the parliamentary vote.

Beleaguered Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.

Ominous rumblings from Lesotho army ahead of election

The nerves of the coup-prone mountain kingdom are frayed as a SADC-monitored poll nears to return it to political stability.

Climate of uncertainty and fear haunts upcoming Lesotho poll

After a deadly shooting earlier this month, the SADC is being criticised for ignoring the cause of Lesotho’s crisis: political violence.