policy-insights-68-a0edf50223cd3e9e.pdf

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the persistent political and security instability in Lesotho. It argues that while regional interventions by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have provided temporary calm, long-term stability requires addressing the root causes: a politicized military, a flawed electoral system that encourages factionalism, and a small economy heavily dependent on government employment.

• The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) has a history of political intervention and internal division, characterized by the assassinations of commanders Lt. Gen. Maaparankoe Mahao in 2015 and Lt. Gen. Khoantle Motsomotso in 2017. Despite SADC's efforts to professionalize the force through the SADC Preventative Mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho (SAPMIL), risks remain from renegade soldiers, politically sensitive court cases against personnel like Lt. Gen. Tlali Kamoli, and grievances regarding the victimisation of soldiers between 2014 and 2017.
• Lesotho's transition from a First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system to a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) model was intended to increase inclusivity but has instead contributed to political factionalism and unstable coalition governments. The ease of registering new parties and the rewards of the MMP system for small parties have led to a proliferation of parties and frequent elections, including three elections between 2012 and 2017, which has eroded public support for democracy.
• Economic desperation drives political instability in Lesotho, as the state is the primary avenue for wealth accumulation in a small economy with a GDP per capita of $3,600. This creates a dynamic where political power is inextricably linked to economic survival, leading to fierce competition among the elite and a partisan civil service and security sector.
• To achieve durable peace, the author recommends that SADC move beyond treating political symptoms and instead foster economic diversification in Lesotho's textile and agricultural industries. Additionally, the author suggests that South Africa should relax border controls to facilitate the free movement of capital and labour, noting that 52% of Basotho agreed in 2017 that meaningful development requires Lesotho to become part of South Africa.
• The SADC Preventative Mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho (SAPMIL), a 269-strong contingent deployed in late 2017, is credited with bringing relative security, but its partial departure in November 2018 created concern regarding the sustainability of the reform process.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-insights-68-a0edf50223cd3e9e.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Policy-Insights-68.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-insights-68-a0edf50223cd3e9e.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Policy-Insights-68.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-insights-68-a0edf50223cd3e9e.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Policy-Insights-68.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicyinsights68a0edf50223cd3e9epdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-insights-68-a0edf50223cd3e9e.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Policy-Insights-68.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }