Research Library: Lesotho
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Last Updated May 29, 2009
Country Information
Government
- Lesotho is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. The prime minister has executive authority while the king has little political power and plays a largely ceremonial role. The Parliament comprises of a lower house, the National Assembly, and an upper house, the Senate. 22 principle chief and 11 members appointed by the ruling party hold seats in the Senate. The 120 representatives in the National Assembly are popularly elected for a five-year term.
- King Letsie III currently serves as the head of state after his father¿s death in 1996. Prime Minister Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili is the chosen representative for the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) after they won the Feb. 2007 elections. This is his third term as prime minister. LCD currently holds 61 seats in the National Assembly with National Independent Party (NIP) holding the second highest amount, 21 seats.
Political Stability
- The Basotho National Party (BNP) lost to the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) in the first elections in 1970. BNP rejected the results, ruling until a coup in 1986 which install King Moshoeshoe II. The King¿s son, Letsie III, replace him in 1991. The BCP won the 1993 election and executive authority. In 1994, King Letsie III led a successful coup to reinstate his father and remove the BCP. This government was not internationally recognized. In 1995, the BCP and King Moshoeshoe III regained power.
- The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) won the 1998 election. Opposition parties rejected the results. Violence and unrest ensued until South Africa and Botswana intervened. The Interim Political Authority, established in December 1998, created the proportional electoral system which allowed for the first time opposition representation in the National assembly. Despite these changes, opposition parities still contested the 2007 election results.
Current Government Policies
- Lesotho suffers from widespread poverty and high HIV-AIDS infection rates. Prime Minister Mosisili promotes AIDS testing, publicly getting tested in 2004. The LCD promised during campaigning that they would increase pensions and expand free education. The government is attempting to attract more American business and investment to Lesotho.
International Reputation
- Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa therefore Lesotho is vulnerable to political and economic changes in South Africa. During the South African apartheid, Lesotho granted political asylum to political refugees. Lesotho is active in many regional economic organizations as well as the UN and AU. Many western countries have diplomatic representation in Lesotho including EU countries and the US.
Economics
- The economy depends heavily on the exporting of water and electricity to South Africa, garment exporting, and agriculture. Since Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa, the two countries are economically integrated.
- The Lesotho Highlands Water Project allowed Lesotho to produce nearly enough electricity to be self-sufficient and still earn $24 million selling electricity and water to South Africa. Lesotho still received a significant amount of aid from different countries and organizations.
Foreign Aid
Statistics
Click on statistic name for source information.
Web Resources
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