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journal of african elections vol14 number 2 transparent democratic governance in africa

Lesotho’s February 2015 Snap Elections: A Prescription that never cured the Sickness

Within just two years of its existence, Lesotho’s first coalition government experienced serious internal conflicts. These conflicts were mainly the result of the coalition leaders’ failure to balance coalition agreements against the country’s Constitution. The conflicts paralysed the government and the National Assembly, and polarised security establishments. These political developments required mediation by the Southern […]

journal of african elections vol14 number 2 transparent democratic governance in africa

Free Elections and Political Instability in Lesotho

Since 1993, Lesotho has had six free elections. Five have been followed by episodes of coercive regional diplomacy or military intervention to maintain order or sustain the elected government. Two of these interventions have occurred as Lesotho’s electoral system was being transformed from a first-past-the-post dominant party system to a mixed member proportional pattern, and […]

journal of african elections vol13 number 1 transparent democratic governance in africa

Alliances, Coalitions and the Political System in Lesotho: 2007-2012

This paper assesses political party alliances and coalitions in Lesotho, focusing on their causes and their consequences for party systems, democratic consolidation, national cohesion and state governability. We agree with Kapa (2008) that formation of the pre-2007 alliances can be explained in terms of office-seeking theory in that the political elite used alliances to access […]

‘Why participate in elections if we’re not properly represented?’ Women’s political participation and representation in SADC countries

Increased democratisation in Southern Africa might suggest that gender equality no longer matters in the politics of countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Yet the political participation and representation of women remains controversial owing to gender stereotypes, rhetoric, tokenism and patriarchy. Critically examining the political processes in the SADC region, specifically elections, […]

journal of african elections vol12 number 1 transparent democratic governance in africa

The 2012 General Elections in Lesotho: A Step Towards the Consolidation of Democracy

The May 2012 general elections in Lesotho were held in the best political climate since democracy returned to the country in 1993. Even the minor disputes that surfaced were resolved speedily before they could graduate into serious election-related conflict. The elections were historic in that the results were not disputed. In addition, for the first […]

journal of african elections vol11 number 2 transparent democratic governance in africa

Transforming Women’s Role in Local Government in Lesotho through a Women’s Quota

Lesotho introduced a quota for women in local government in 2005 amid different interpretations of the concept and the general preparations for elections. The phase II era of decentralisation, after the quota for women was introduced, was marked by the October 2011 local government elections. In both instances a deliberate effort was made to reserve […]

The Socio-Economic Cost of the Post-Election Conflict

Both theory and empirical evidence suggest that political instability hinders domestic investment and foreign direct investment, therefore retarding economic growth. Moreover, political instability generates inefficiently high inflation, which hinders investment, reduces welfare and retards economic growth. In Lesotho periods of political instability are associated with very low levels of investment and economic growth. However, there […]

The Role and Position of Civil Society Organisations in Lesotho’s Democratisation Process

This paper assesses the role and position of civil society in Lesotho’s democratisation process by interrogating the mandate and functions of civil society organisations from immediately before the transitional elections of 1993 to the recent 2007 polls. While acknowledging the pro-democracy activities of civil society we argue that because of its failure to observe the […]

Prospects for the Promotion of a Culture of Political Tolerance in Lesotho

The main aim of this paper is to examine the problems and opportunities facing Lesotho in institutionalising a culture of political tolerance – an indispensable requirement in an emerging democracy. These problems and opportunities are discussed in the context of an assessment of the challenges of consolidating democratic governance in the country. Sustainable democratic governance […]

Party Alliances and Political Coalitions During the 2007 General Election in Lesotho

In 2007, for the first time in Lesotho’s political history, some political parties formed formal electoral pacts, variously dubbed alliances or coalitions, to fight the general election of 17 February. The ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy and the newly formed All Basotho Convention entered into alliances with their smaller counterparts, the National Independent Party and […]

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