Lesotho election: Tom Thabane's ABC 'to form coalition'

News, • Date: 2012-06-16

Lesotho's opposition parties say they have formed a coalition government after Sunday's inconclusive election.

The leader of the All Basotho Convention, Tom Thabane told the BBC that he had reached an agreement with the Lesotho Congress for Democracy and two smaller parties.

"We are going to have a vast majority in parliament," Mr Thabane said.

Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili failed to win an absolute majority in the weekend parliamentary election.

Mr Mosisili took control of the country in fiercely contested elections in 1998.

Then post-election wrangling led to clashes on the streets and brought about a military intervention by South Africa and Botswana to restore order.

On Tuesday there were reports of some Basotho troops on the streets of the capital, Maseru, but the situation is reported to be calm.

Mr Thabane told the BBC's Network Africa programme that his main concerns were would be: "Poverty, lack of jobs, lack of school opportunities, absence of schools at the right places, lack of proper infrastructure, particularly health services.

"We have gone way below what we were a few years ago, and that's inexplicable," said Mr Thabane.

"We put power in the hands of the wrong people and we are taking it away from them."

The tiny, mountainous kingdom of two million people is entirely surrounded by South Africa.

It won independence from Britain in 1966, but has suffered several military coups since then.

BBC Content

 

Modified: 2012-06-16

New Composition of the Lesotho Government after the Elections held on 26th May 2012

News, • Date: 2013-01-25

• The Right Honourable Mr. Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Police and National Security.
• Honourable Mr. Mothetjoa Metsing, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs.
• Honourable Mr. Thesele ‘Maseribane, Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation.
• Honourable Professor Maboee Moletsane, Minister of Development Planning.
• Honourable Dr. Motloheloa Phooko, Minister of the Public Service.
• Honourable Dr. Thahane Timothy Thahane, Minister of Energy, Meteorology and Water Affairs.
• Honourable Dr. Leketekete Victor Ketso, Minister of Finance.
• Honourable Mrs. Mamahele Radebe, Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture.
• Honourable Mrs. Keketso Rantšo, Minister of Public Works and Transport.
• Honourable Adv. Haae Edward Phoofolo, Minister of Justice, Human Rights, Correctional Services, Law and Constitutional Affairs.
• Honourable Mr. Ts’eliso Mokhosi, Minister of Communications, Science and Technology.
• Honourable Mr. Khotso Matla, Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation.
• Honourable Mr. Temeki Phoenix Ts’olo, Minister of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing.
• Honourable Mr. Tlali Khasu, Minister of Mining.
• Honourable Mr. Lits’oane Simon Lits’oane, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
• Honourable Mrs. Makabelo Priscilla Mosothoane, Minister of Education and Training.
• Honourable Mrs. Matebatso Doti, Minister of Social Development.
• Honourable Mr. Lebesa Maloi, Minister of Employment and Labour.
• Honourable Mr. Molobeli Soulo, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
• Honourable Mr. Mophato Moshoete Monyake, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
• Honourable Mr. Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
• Honourable Dr. Pinkie Manamolela, Minister of Health.
• Honourable Mr. Joang Molapo, Minister of Home Affairs. 

Deputy Ministers

• Honourable Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane, Deputy Minister of Local Government and of Chieftainship Affairs.
• Honourable Mrs. Mats’epo Ramakoae, Deputy Minister of Finance.
• Honourable Mrs. ‘Malebitso Ralebitso, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.
• Honourable Mr. Sek’hulumi Ntsoaole, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing.
• Honourable Dr. Lucia Makoae, Deputy Minister of Health.
• Honourable Mr. Mahala Molapo, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
• Honourable Mr. Apesi Rats’ele, Deputy Minister of Education.

Modified: 2013-01-25