Newspapers in Lesotho
The spread of newspapers is very small (8 newspaper excl. Per 1,000 residents, 2000) in Lesotho. There is an independent daily newspaper and some newspapers and magazines that are published in Sotho and English with lower periodicity. Publishers are often the Ministry of Information or various churches. The total newspaper edition is about 15,000 copies. (1996).
The Lesotho National Broadcasting Service is state and broadcasts both radio (since 1964) and television (since 1988) in Sotho and English. Lesotho has 53 radio and 16 TV receivers per 1,000 residents (2000).
Culture
According to ALLUNITCONVERTERS, in Lesotho there are rock paintings from prehistoric times. They are made by the San people (formerly called Bushmen). In our day, lesbian women often paint their houses on the outside with earth tones in geometric patterns. Weaving has ancient traditions and Lesothic imagery is now manufactured for export.
Traditional music is similar to that of other countries in southern Africa and consists mainly of alternating songs to accompaniment of drums and stringed instruments. Modern pop music in Lesotho has also included elements of traditional music. Some Christian communities have also woven indigenous musical forms into their hymns.
2017
December
Regional peace force in place
December 2
The regional cooperation organization SADC is deploying a peacekeeping force of just over 250 people in Lesotho. The decision to establish the force, called Sapmil, was made after the assassination of the army chief in September. The soldiers will primarily stay for six months. Seven countries contribute: Angola, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
October
Former army chief in detention
October 13
Former army chief Tlali Kamoli is remanded in custody and charged a few days later for murder and a number of attempted murder. The prosecution relates to events in connection with what appears to have been a failed coup attempt in 2014 (see August 2014). The unrest erupted after Kamoli was dismissed from his post.
September
The army chief murdered
September 5
The country’s army chief, Khoantle Motsomotso, is shot dead by two officers who break into his office. The attackers killed by Motsomoto’s bodyguards were accused of killing a former army chief in 2015, Maaparankoe Mahao. The regional cooperation organization SADC had demanded that they be brought to justice for the assassination of Mahao, a thought that met strong opposition from the former head of government Pakalitha Mosisili and part of the military elite in the country.
August
Opposition leaders flee abroad
August 30th
Mothetjoa Metsing, leader of the opposition party Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), says he fears for his life and flees to South Africa. Metsing leaves the country a few days after the LCD’s deputy leader, Tseliso Mokhosi, was arrested for murdering a policeman in 2016. Mokhosi’s family says he was tortured in custody. A spokesman for LCD says that Metsing feared that he too would be arrested and tortured. Between Metsing and and Prime Minister Thomas Thabane there are contradictions since old. In 2014, Thabane fled to South Africa after what appeared to be a coup attempt against him that he accused Metsing of being behind.
July
The Prime Minister’s Office was eavesdropped
July 29
An investigation is being conducted to examine how it is possible that interception equipment was placed under Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s desk. It is also revealed that Thabane’s wife’s car was equipped with a tracking transmitter.
June
New coalition government takes office
June 16
Thomas Thabane becomes prime minister at the head of a coalition government between his Allbasothian Convention (ABC) party and the election four, the relatively new Democratic Alliance Party (AD), as well as the two small parties Basotho National Party (GDP) and Lesotho’s Reformed Congress (RCL).
The election leads to a shift in power
June 3
27 parties and 40 candidates are running in the new election. It is won by the Allbasothian Convention (ABC) which receives 48 of the 120 seats. The former ruling party Democratic Congress (DC) ends on 30 terms. The DC leader and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili submit their resignation.
March
New election announced for June
March 1st
The government loses a vote of confidence in Parliament. Prime Minister Mosisili now has the choice of resigning or announcing new elections. After just over a week, new elections are announced until June 3.
February
Refugee former head of government back
February 12
Former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and two other opposition leaders return to Lesotho from their exile. The three intend to put the government ahead of a vote of confidence since the government lost its majority in parliament.
