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Lesotho: Mosisili resigns after his party fails to obtain majority in parliament
That contrasted with the turmoil when Mosisili first took power in 1998, then as head of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy. Opposition parties rejected the results of the 1998 vote, leading to violent protests, an army mutiny and finally a military intervention by South Africa that saw much of the capital, Maseru, torched and looted.
Subsequent electoral reforms were meant to give a greater voice to the opposition but despite them, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy under Mosisili won elections in 2002 and 2007.
Thabaso Litsiba, secretary general of the All Basotho Convention, said in an interview that it may be next week before parliament meets and a new prime minister is chosen. It was likely to be Thomas Thabane, head of Litsiba’s party.
A coalition government, a first-time experiment for Lesotho, may prove unwieldy, particularly if Mosisili in opposition proves disciplined. Thabane may struggle to keep not only members of his own party in line, but also those of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy and of the other smaller parties he will need to get legislation approved.
A smooth transfer of power from one party is increasingly becoming the norm in sub-Saharan Africa, despite setbacks like a coup this year in Guinea-Bissau and another in Mali that was followed by the splintering of that country.
— In March, Senegal lived up to its reputation as one of Africa’s established democracies as incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, who had served two terms, conceded defeat in a presidential race.
— In Malawi in April, after the president died suddenly in office, there was a delay in the official announcement of the death, leading to speculation that politicians were squabbling over succession. But in the end, the vice president took office, becoming the first woman president in southern Africa. Malawians congratulated themselves that their constitution and democratic order had prevailed.
