The True History of Our Independence

From Independence to Today — 1966 to 2026

Lesotho’s 60-year journey is a story of kings, prime ministers, economic rise and fall, and the resilience of Basotho.

This article covers all the Kings and Prime Ministers of Lesotho, and the economy and governance from 1966 to today.

Section 1 — The Foundation Era: Chief Leabua Jonathan (1966–1986)

Under the government of Chief Leabua Jonathan, Lesotho’s economy rose so high that Lesotho fed other countries including Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, and even South Africa in the mines. His government established stable socio-economic planning.

The political intervention of 1986 disrupted that stability and deterred long-term foreign investment.

Section 2 — The Military Transition and Return to Democracy (1986–1993)

In 1992, behind the scenes, Major General Phisoane Elias Ramaema selected 100 members to draft the Constitution of Lesotho. He then announced the 1993 General Elections, which were won by the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) with a high majority.

Section 3 — The BCP Government and Early Challenges (1993–1997)

February 1994 — Under Prime Minister Dr. Ntsu Mokhehle, leader of the BCP, the Government signed an agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for a loan worth over M12 million for a rural finance and support project.

1 February 1995 — The Kingdom of Lesotho entered into an agreement with the International Development Association for a loan of SDR 7,900,000 for the Privatization and Private Sector Development Assistance Project.

July 1995 — Lesotho and Germany signed an agreement for a M7.5 million grant for the construction of Phase II of the Rural Development Centre at Semonkong.

August 1995 — King Letsie III dissolved the BCP government. On 2 September, he signed an agreement with Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle on the restoration of the government.

15 January 1996 — King Moshoeshoe II passed away at the age of 57.

The governing party BCP faced intense internal factionalism. On 9 June 1997, the split between the BCP and the newly formed Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) occurred, with LCD being formed in parliament.