All Basotho Convention

The All Basotho Convention (ABC; Sotho: Kobo-tata ea Basotho)[2] is a political party in Lesotho. The party was formed in October 2006 and founded by Tom Thabane, a former minister in the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) led by the government of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.[3] Nkaku Kabi has led the party since February 2022.

All Basotho Convention
Kobo-tata ea Basotho
LeaderNkaku Kabi
FounderTom Thabane
FoundedOctober 2006 (2006-10)
Split fromLesotho Congress for Democracy
IdeologyLiberalism
Political positionCentre[1]
Colors  Yellow, Red, Green
National Assembly
8 / 120
Website
abc.org.ls

History

A total of 18 members of parliament crossed the floor to join the opposition ABC party on October 13, 2006; these included Thabane and 16 other former LCD members, along with one independent member, Lehlohonolo Tšehlana, who has previously been expelled from the LCD.[4]

The 18 members of parliament joining the ABC, along with their constituencies, are:

  • M. Maliehe (Butha-Buthe)
  • Sello Peter Maphalla (Hlotse)
  • Mokholane Pita (Maputsoe)
  • Lijane Edwin Selikane (Mosalemane)
  • Matooane Mokhosi (Bela-Bela)
  • Clement S. Machakela (Mahlatsa)
  • Mabuo Kojoana (Thupa-Kubu)
  • Seeiso Simon Sehloho (Mabote)
  • Mokherane Chaltin Tsatsanyane (Stadium Area)
  • ’Mapheello B. Tšuluba (Qoaling)
  • Molobeli Bernard Soulo (Lithoteng)
  • Tom Thabane (Abia)
  • Molebatsi Khaile (Qeme)
  • Freddy Rantelali Shea (’Maletsunyane)
  • Retšelisitsoe Ranooe (Kolo)
  • Seabata Joseph Monare (Qhalasi)
  • ’Nyane Mphafi (Thaba-Tseka)
  • Lehlohonolo Tšehlana (Mokhotlong)[4]

The ABC became the third largest party in the National Assembly. The ruling party was left with 61 of the 120 parliamentary seats, and the ABC leaders expected more LCD members to defect, which would have given the opposition a majority.[5] In late November, parliament was dissolved and an early election was called for February 2007.[6]

ABC contested the 17 February 2007 Lesotho general elections. It was anticipated that it would win the majority of the urban constituencies. The party won 17 constituency seats, falling far short of the 61 seats won by the LCD.[7]

In the June 2017 parliamentary election, the ABC won the most seats (48 out of 120), and, with its allies, it was able to command a majority.[8] Party leader Tom Thabane was sworn in as Prime Minister on 16 June 2017.[9]

In recent years the party has been riddled with divisions and infighting. It initially started out as a power struggle between Thabane and his former deputy, Nqosa Mahao, who had been elected to the national executive committee (NEC) in 2019. Eventually, Mahao left the ABC and formed his own party called the Basotho Action Party in 2021 with 10 other MPs. He accused Thabane, prime minister Majoro, and ABC secretary general Lebohang Hlaele of plotting to oust him from the party. MP Tefo Mapesela also left the party and formed the Basotho Patriotic Party. The splits along with ABC MPs crossing the floor to other parties caused ABC's number of seats in the National Assembly to drop from 50 in May 2020 to only 35 by January 2022.[10]

In 2020, Thabane stepped down as prime minister after being charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Lipolelo Thabane, although the charges were later dropped.[11]

Thabane announced his intention to step down as leader in January 2022, citing his advanced age and ill health. He also wanted to give the party enough time to choose a successor before the upcoming elections.[10] On 2 February, the party elected Nkaku Kabi to succeed Thabane.[12]

Election Results
Election Votes Share Seats +/- Government
2007 125,880 29.34
17 / 120
 New Opposition
2012 138,917 25.18
30 / 120
 Increase 13 Government
2015 215,022 37.75
46 / 120
 Increase 16 Opposition
2017 235,729 40.52
48 / 120
 Increase 2 Government
2022 37,553 7.29
8 / 120
 Decrease 40 Opposition

References
  1. "Former Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to step down as leader of the All Basotho Convention". Foreign Brief. 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  2. "Ma-ABC a amohela Mahao ka nku |". June 4, 2019.
  3. "Lesotho holds elections for new gov't", Associated Press (CBS News), 17 February 2007.
  4. "18 MPs Cross the Floor in the National Assembly to Form New Parliamentary Party" Archived 2007-10-18 at the Wayback Machine, Summary of Events in Lesotho - 3rd quarter 2006, trc.org.ls.
  5. "New Lesotho political party formed", AFP (IOL), October 13, 2006.
  6. Bethuel Thai, "Lesotho will go to the polls in February 2007", Reuters (IOL), December 1, 2006.
  7. "Win was not fair - opposition", AFP (IOL), February 21, 2007.
  8. "Lesotho: Incumbent Mosisili loses election to former Prime Minister Thabane", Africanews, 6 June 2017.
  9. Ismail Akwei, "'Devastated' Lesotho PM inaugurated after fatal shooting of wife", Africanews, 16 June 2017.
  10. "Why Thabane Is Stepping Down As ABC Leader". Lesotho Times. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  11. Mohloboli, Marafaele (2022-10-07). "Lesotho elects new parliament amid unresolved political crisis". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  12. "ABC elects new leader". Africa Press. 2 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
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