1991 Lesotho coup d'état
The 1991 Lesotho coup d'état was a military coup that took place in Lesotho on 30 April 1991, led by Colonel Elias Phisoana Ramaema.[1][2] It led to the resignation of Prime Minister General Justin Lekhanya, who held the office since the 1986 coup d'état.
 | |
| Date | 30 April 1991 |
|---|---|
| Location | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Maseru |
| Type | Military coup |
| Motive | Regime change |
| Organised by | Elias Phisoana Ramaema |
| Participants | Lesotho Defence Force (faction) |
| Outcome | Coup succeeds
|
Colonel Ramaena besieged the government and forced Prime Minister Lekhanya to resign. During Ramaena's two years in power, a new constitution restoring the powers of the Parliament was adopted. Multi-party general election was held on 27 March 1993, with the assistance of the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations, at the request of the government. Finally, the exiled King Moshoeshoe II, who was dethroned by General Lekhanya in 1990,[3] was restored to the throne on 25 January 1995.[4]
References
- Christopher S. Wren (1 May 1991). "Lesotho's Military Leader Ousted by Army Officers". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- "Tenue d'élections multipartites au Lesotho | Perspective Monde". perspective.usherbrooke.ca. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- "Lesotho Army Ruler Declares Exiled King to Be Dethroned". The New York Times. Associated Press. 7 November 1990. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- "MASERU : A King Returns". Los Angeles Times. 24 January 1995. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
