The Political Landscape of Lesotho Post-Basotho National Party Rule

In January 1970, Lesotho experienced a significant political upheaval when the ruling Basutoland National Party (BNP) lost the first post-independence general elections. The BNP secured only 23 seats, while the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) emerged victorious with 36 seats. Despite this clear electoral defeat, Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan refused to relinquish power. He declared himself the prime minister and took drastic measures by imprisoning the leadership of the BCP, effectively undermining the democratic process. In response to this authoritarian move, the BCP initiated a rebellion against the BNP regime. To bolster their efforts, members of the BCP sought military training in Libya, leading to the formation of the Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA). This conflict marked a critical moment in Lesotho's political history, highlighting the tensions between democratic governance and authoritarian rule, and setting the stage for ongoing struggles for power and representation in the country. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #Lesotho #Bnp #Bcp #1970Elections #PoliticalHistory