1986 Lesotho coup d'état
Date | 15 January 1986 |
---|---|
Location | Lesotho |
Type | Military coup |
Motive | Regime change |
Target | State House, Maseru |
Organised by | Justin Lekhanya |
Participants | Faction within the Defence Force |
Outcome | Coup succeeds
|
The 1986 Lesotho coup d'état was a military coup that took place in Lesotho on 20 January 1986, led by General Justin Lekhanya.[1] It led to the deposition of Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan, who held the office since 1965 and assumed dictatorial powers in the 1970 coup d'état, after the general election was annulled.
General Lekhanya announced the creation of the Military Council, which would exercise all executive and legislative powers in the name of King Moshoeshoe II. Eventually, a power struggle developed between Lekhanya and the King, with the latter being forced into exile in the United Kingdom in February 1990. Lekhanya himself was deposed in the 1991 coup d'état, led by Colonel Elias Phisoana Ramaema.
References[]
- ^ website = csmonitor.com "Coup in Lesotho delights citizens -- and neighboring South Africa" Check
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Categories:
- Military coups in Lesotho
- 1986 in Lesotho
- Conflicts in 1986
- 1980s coups d'état and coup attempts
- January 1986 events in Africa
- Lesotho stubs