All basotho convention
Lesotho ruling party withdraws from its own government
The speaker of the national assembly, Sephiri Motanyane, read a letter from the ABC's caucus secretary announcing its withdrawal as the leading party in the...
Lesotho’s wounded coalition government has assured its people and the international community that it still has the required majority to remain in power.
The latest move by the PM follows the sacking of controversial Agriculture Minister Tefo Mapesela last week, and it means Majoro’s coalition government, with the opposition Democratic Congress, is now facing a possible collapse.
Majoro has retained Basotho National Party leader Thesele Maseribane as minister of communications and Reformed Congress of Lesotho leader Keketso Rant’so - both parties fell out with Thabane’s government before it collapsed.
Moeketsi Majoro on Wednesday said that he would make restoring the integrity of the judiciary one of his priorities.
In a recorded statement, Thabane said: 'The work you assigned me is not over but the time to retire from public office has finally arrived.'
The Lesotho Council of State made a landmark decision appointing Majoro as Prime Minister.
On Monday, he addressed his Ha Abia constituency in Maseru, saying that he was stepping down as prime minister but not as All Basotho Convention (ABC) party leader.
He has just addressed his Ha Abia constituency, saying that he is stepping down as prime minister but not ABC leader.
Tom Thabane’s departure would resolve a political crisis that erupted late last year, and end a career marked by exile, political feuding, intrigue and strains with the military.
Lesotho’s Democratic Congress deputy leader Motlalentoa Letsosa said that he expected Majoro to be sworn in by the end of this week and appoint his new cabinet throughout next week before the national assembly sits again next Friday.
National Assembly Speaker Sephiri Motanyane has given the country’s new coalition up to 22 May to nominate a new prime minister and finalise its working agreement.
The government of Lesotho has passed a constitutional amendment that makes provision for a prime minister to resign before the end of a five-year term. The amendment also strips the prime minister of powers to unilaterally dissolve parliament and call for elections when he loses a vote of no confidence. EWN reporter Nthakoana Ngatane brings you the latest.
National Assembly Speaker Sephiri Motanyane on Monday gave the country’s new coalition until 22 May 2020 to nominate a new prime minister and finalise its working agreement.
Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki’s Alliance of Democrats has also submitted its interest to be part of that coalition.
An attempt to oust Thabane failed in the national assembly on Friday, when MPs failed to reach the required majority.
The breakaway faction of Thabane's own ABC that has 33 MPs was supported by the opposition Democratic Congress with 26 MPs and their total of 59 fell short of the required simple majority of 61.
MPs of Thabane’s All Basotho Convention party said they had partnered with the main opposition Democratic Congress to form a new coalition.
ABC spokesman Montoeli Masoetsa said by telephone that the party’s national executive council had agreed on chairman Samuel Rapapa during discussions on Monday and delivered his name to Parliament.