Lesotho coups d'état: political decay and erosion of democracy

Abstract

The Basotho nation and its proto state came into being in the first half of the 19th centmy. In 1868 the territory became the colonial possession of the British Crown. As a colonial possession, Britain entrenched its colonial policies in a newly acquired territoiy. Its loss of political sovereignty and indigenous independence
was implicit in the Annexation Proclamation which declared that "the said tribe of the Basotho shall be, and shall be taken to be to all intents and pmposes British subjects, and the territoiy of the said tribe shall be, and shall be taken to be British territory".  Bringing the Basotho under British subjugation meant an end to and the amelioration of the communal practices and the beliefs of the Basotho. As British subjects, the Basotho had to conform to the voice of the new masters. This conformity was emphasised in the churches, schools and communal assemblies (Lipitsong) under the supervision of the British officials. Some chiefs collaborated
with the new rulers to suppress possible insurrection among the Basotho.