The Legal Framework of Intervention Forces in Africa Case Study - Lesotho
Abstract
The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho is situated in Southern Africa, and completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Lesotho gained independence from United Kingdom on the 4 October 1966, and has since been known for its turbulent political history. In 1986, there was a military coup, which brought Major General Lekhanya into power. The constitutional government was restored in 1993, after 23 years of Military rule. Following this general elections, the Basutoland Congress Party of Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle came into power with complete control of national Assembly. There was some political unrest with the opposition claiming political election fraud, and calling for the King to intervene. In 1994, he suspended parliament and installed a ruling council. This was, however not supported by the majority of Basotho who took to the streets. A memorandum of understanding between the King and the Prime Minister, known as the TROIKA Agreement was brokered by South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, which called for peace and the restoration of the King Moshoeshoe1, who had long been deposed by the military regime. The 1998 crisis was similar to that of the 1993/94 post-electoral period. In both cases, opposition party members charged political fraud, suborned army supporters, sought the King s intervention, and effectively rendered the elected government ineffective. In the 1998 upheavals, however, the King did not get involved; it was some members of the army who did. Based on the 1994 memorandum of understanding, the Prime Minister, Mr Mosisili called for Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intervene militarily to stabilize the situation. It is the using of the 1994 agreement which put the SADC intervention force on the spotlight; did they have the mandate in 1998 to intervene? This monograph shall explore the relevant statutes to find out whether SADC forces were properly mandated to enter Lesotho. Any lessons learned from this intervention.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA432494
Entities
People
- Badirile Mooketsi
Organizations
- United States Army War College