Editing Lesotho (section)

==Politics==
{{Main|Politics of Lesotho}}

The Lesotho Government is a parliamentary [[constitutional monarchy]].<ref> {{cite web |url=https://www.gov.ls/cabinet/ |title=Cabinet |access-date= 22 March 2025}} </ref> The Prime Minister, [[Sam Matekane]], is the [[head of government]] and has [[executive authority]].<ref name=Cabinet> {{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/160128.pdf |title=LESOTHO |access-date= 22 March 2025}} </ref> The [[King of Lesotho]], [[Letsie III of Lesotho|Letsie III]], is the [[head of state]]<ref name=Cabinet> </ref> and serves a "largely ceremonial function"; he no longer possesses any executive authority and is prohibited from actively participating in political initiatives.

The Revolution for Prosperity leads a [[coalition government]] in the [[National Assembly of Lesotho|National Assembly]], the lower house of parliament. The upper house of parliament, the [[Senate of Lesotho|Senate]], is composed of 22 principal chiefs whose membership is hereditary, and 11 appointees of the king, acting on the advice of the prime minister.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nwafor |first1=Anthony O. |title=The Lesotho Constitution and Doctrine of Separation of Powers: Reflections on the Judicial Attitude |journal=African Journal of Legal Studies |date=2013 |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=58–59 |doi=10.1163/17087384-12342020 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The constitution provides for an independent judicial system, made up of the High Court, the Court of Appeal, Magistrate's Courts, and traditional courts that exist predominantly in rural areas. All but one of the Justices on the Court of Appeal are South African jurists. There is no trial by jury; rather, judges make rulings alone or, in the case of criminal trials, with two other judges as observers. The constitution protects some [[civil liberties]], including [[freedom of speech]], [[freedom of association]], [[freedom of the press]], [[freedom of assembly|freedom of peaceful assembly]], and [[freedom of religion]]. Lesotho was ranked 12th out of 48 sub-Saharan African countries in the 2008 [[Ibrahim Index of African Governance]].<ref>[http://moibrahimfoundation.org "Home | Mo Ibrahim Foundation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321114046/http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/ |date=21 March 2016 }}. moibrahimfoundation.org.</ref>

In 2010, the [[People's Charter Movement]] called for the practical annexation of the country by South Africa due to the [[Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS|HIV epidemic]]. Nearly a quarter of the population tests positive for [[HIV]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.helplesotho.org/lesotho/hivaids-in-lesotho/ | title= HIV/AIDS in Lesotho | website= HelpLesotho.org | quote= Lesotho has the second-highest HIV prevalence rate in the world – more than 23 percent of people, or just under one in four people in the country are living with HIV. | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141105165537/http://www.helplesotho.org/lesotho/hivaids-in-lesotho/ | archive-date= 5 November 2014 | df= dmy-all }}</ref> The country has faced economic collapse, a weaker currency, and travel documents restricting movement. An [[African Union]] report called for economic integration of Lesotho with South Africa and stopped short of suggesting annexation. In May 2010, the Charter Movement delivered a petition to the South African [[High Commissioner (Commonwealth)|High Commission]] requesting integration. South Africa's home affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa rejected the idea that Lesotho should be treated as a special case.<ref>{{cite news |first= Alex Duval|last= Smith |location= Maseru, Lesotho |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/06/lesotho-independence-south-africa |title= Lesotho's people plead with South Africa to annex their troubled country |work= The Observer |date= 6 June 2010 |access-date= 4 July 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130915013456/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/06/lesotho-independence-south-africa |archive-date= 15 September 2013 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

At the peak of the AIDS epidemic, over 30,000 Lesotho residents signed a petition for the country to be annexed to prevent life expectancy from falling to 34 years old.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Alex Duval |date=2010-06-05 |title=Lesotho's people plead with South Africa to annex their troubled country |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/06/lesotho-independence-south-africa |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0029-7712 |archive-date=15 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915013456/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/06/lesotho-independence-south-africa |url-status=live }}</ref> Scholars of comparative politics, like in [[Jeffrey Herbst]]'s "War and the State of Africa", argue that the lack of border disputes for countries like Lesotho and [[Eswatini]] has kept the countries weak politically.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Herbst |first=Jeffrey |date=1990 |title=War and the State in Africa |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2538753 |journal=International Security |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=117–139 |doi=10.2307/2538753 |jstor=2538753 |s2cid=153804691 |issn=0162-2889 |access-date=3 March 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922192451/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2538753 |url-status=live }}</ref> This weakness stems from the remnants of colonialism in the government, influenced by English and [[Roman-Dutch law|Roman-Dutch common law]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lesotho government structure and political parties. {{!}} - CountryReports |url=https://www.countryreports.org/country/Lesotho/government.htm |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www.countryreports.org |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303215505/https://www.countryreports.org/country/Lesotho/government.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, the government was not made to serve the Basotho people but rather to be exploitative.

After prime minister [[Tom Thabane]] resigned due to impeachment threats and a warrant of arrest for the murder of his wife in 2020, the South African finance minister suggested a confederation between Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa as a solution.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ISSAfrica.org |date=2020-01-21 |title=Lesotho's future no clearer as Tom Thabane resigns |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/lesothos-future-no-clearer-as-tom-thabane-resigns |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=ISS Africa |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303215505/https://issafrica.org/iss-today/lesothos-future-no-clearer-as-tom-thabane-resigns |url-status=live }}</ref> His successor, [[Moeketsi Majoro]], held office from 2020 to 2022 until he similarly resigned<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-14 |title=Lesotho Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro resigns |url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/lesotho-prime-minister-moeketsi-majoro-resigns/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. |language=en-US |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202120334/https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/lesotho-prime-minister-moeketsi-majoro-resigns/ |url-status=live }}</ref> after a vote of "no-confidence" in Parliament for misconduct with the military and improperly handling [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-23 |title=Moeketsi Majoro (1961- ) • |url=https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/moeketsi-majoro-1961/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |language=en-US |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402085801/https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/moeketsi-majoro-1961/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While prime minister [[Sam Matekane]] is working with the [[Southern African Development Community|South African Development Community]] (SADC) towards legal reform, his administration still shows signs of corruption, as 40,000 garment workers protested for better conditions and faced excessive force that killed two protestors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lesotho: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/lesotho/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Freedom House |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531001933/https://freedomhouse.org/country/lesotho/freedom-world/2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Lesotho}}
Lesotho is a member of some regional economic organisations, including the [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070812215034/http://www.sadc.int/member_states/index.php?country=Lesotho Lesotho Country profile]. Southern African Development Community</ref> and the [[Southern African Customs Union]] (SACU).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacu.int/ |title=Southern African Customs Union website |publisher=Sacu.int |access-date=4 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903211938/http://www.sacu.int/ |archive-date=3 September 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It is active in the United Nations (UN), the [[African Union]] (AU), the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] (NAM), the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], and other international organisations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/|title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency|website=www.cia.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-09-20|df=dmy-all|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702003726/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lesotho has maintained ties with the United Kingdom (Wales in particular), Germany, the United States, and other [[Western world|Western states]]. It broke relations with [[China–Lesotho relations|China]] and re-established relations with [[Taiwan]] in 1990, and later restored ties with China. It recognises the [[State of Palestine]].<ref name=State>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2831.htm |title=Lesotho US State department |publisher=state.gov |access-date=4 July 2010 |df=dmy-all |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002121746/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2831.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2014 up until 2018, it recognised the [[Republic of Kosovo]].<ref>{{cite web| publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kosovo| url= http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=1,4,2242| title= Pas njohjes nga Lesoto, Hoxhaj vazhdon lobimin në Afrikë (After recognition of Lesotho, Hoxhaj continues lobbying in Africa)| access-date= 12 December 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141229124007/http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=1,4,2242| archive-date= 29 December 2014| url-status= live| df= dmy-all}}</ref>

It was a public opponent of [[apartheid]] in South Africa and granted a number of South African refugees political asylum during the apartheid era.<ref name=State/> In 2019, it signed the [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons|UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament – No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Defence and law enforcement===
The [[Lesotho Defence Force]] (LDF) is charged with the maintenance of internal security and the defence of Lesotho. Its chief officer is designated ''Commander''.<ref>Articles 146 (1) and (2) of the [http://library2.parliament.go.th/giventake/content_cons/lesotho.pdf Constitution of Lesotho] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182858/http://library2.parliament.go.th/giventake/content_cons/lesotho.pdf |date= 3 March 2016 }}.</ref>

The [[Lesotho Mounted Police Service]] (LMPS) is charged with the maintenance of law and order.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dijcolorg.free.fr/LMPS.htm |title=Lesotho Mounted Police Service |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=dijcolorg.free.fr |publisher= |access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> Its chief officer is designated ''Commissioner''. LMPS provides uniformed policing, criminal detection, and traffic policing. There are specialist units dealing with high-tech crime, immigration, wildlife, and terrorism. The force has existed, with changes of name, continuously since 1872.

The [[Lesotho National Security Service]] (LNSS) is charged with the protection of national security. Established in modern form by the National Security Services Act of 1998, its chief officer is designated ''Director General'', and appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Lesotho/LS_National_Security_Services_Act.pdf|title=Lesotho Government Gazette Extraordinary — 15th May, 1998}}</ref> LNSS is an intelligence service, part of the Ministry of Defence and National Security, and reporting directly to the Government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.ls/defence-national-security/|website=Government Of Lesotho|title=Defence and National Security|access-date=27 November 2023|archive-date=2 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102004427/https://www.gov.ls/defence-national-security/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Law===
[[File:Chinese Lesotho project Lesotho Parliament II.jpg|thumb|The Parliament building in Maseru]]
The [[Constitution of Lesotho]] came into force after the publication of the Commencement Order.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC129835/#:~:text=The%20Constitution%20was%20adopted%20by,Parliament%20may%20alter%20the%20Constitution. |title=FAOLEX Database |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=fao.org |publisher= |access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> Constitutionally, legislation refers to laws that have been passed by both houses of parliament and have been assented to by the king (Section 78(1)). Subordinate legislation refers to laws passed by other bodies to which parliament has, by virtue of Section 70(2) of the Constitution, validly delegated such legislative powers. These include government publications, ministerial orders, ministerial regulations, and municipal [[by-laws]].

While Lesotho shares with [[South Africa]], [[Botswana]], [[Eswatini]], [[Namibia]], and [[Zimbabwe]] a mixed general legal system which resulted from the interaction between the Roman-Dutch [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] and the [[English law|English common law]]. Its general law operates independently. Lesotho applies the [[common law]], which refers to unwritten law or law from non-statutory sources, and excludes [[customary law]]. Decisions from South African courts are only persuasive, and courts refer to them in formulating their decisions. Decisions from some jurisdictions can be cited for their persuasive value. Magistrates' court decisions do not become precedent since these are lower courts. They are bound by the decisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal, the final appellate forum on all matters, has supervisory and review jurisdiction over all the courts of Lesotho.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://lesotholii.org/akn/ls/judgment/lsca/2024/31/eng@2024-11-01/source.pdf |title= IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF LESOTHO |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=lesotholii.org |publisher= |access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref>

Lesotho has a dual legal system consisting of customary and general laws operating side by side.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA00104051_673 |title=The internal conflict of laws in Lesotho |access-date=2025-04-02  }}</ref> Customary law is made up of the customs of the Basotho, written and codified in the Laws of Lerotholi. The general law consists of [[Roman-Dutch law|Roman Dutch law]] imported from the Cape and the Lesotho statutes. The codification of customary law came about after a council was appointed in 1903 to advise the British Resident Commissioner on which laws would be best for governing the [[Basotho]]. Until this time, the Basotho customs and laws were passed down from generation to generation through [[oral tradition]]. The council was given the task of codifying them, and they came up with the Laws of Lerotholi which are then applied by customary courts (local courts). The written works of certain authors have persuasive value in the courts of Lesotho. These include the writings of the "old authorities as well as contemporary writers from similar jurisdictions".

===Districts===
{{Main|Districts of Lesotho}}
[[File:Map of lesotho.png|thumb|Districts and cities]]
For administrative purposes, Lesotho is divided into [[Districts of Lesotho|10 districts]], each headed by a district administrator.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.statoids.com/uls.html| title=Lesotho Districts| work=Statoids| access-date=16 March 2025}}</ref> Each district has a capital known as a ''[[Camptown (Lesotho)|camptown]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.africancleancities.org/sites/default/files/2022/07/lesotho_en.pdf| title=Lesotho| website=africancleancities.com| access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref>
{{Columns-list|
* [[Berea District|Berea]]
* [[Butha-Buthe District|Butha-Buthe]]
* [[Leribe District|Leribe]]
* [[Mafeteng District|Mafeteng]]
* [[Maseru District|Maseru]]
* [[Mohale's Hoek District|Mohale's Hoek]]
* [[Mokhotlong District|Mokhotlong]]
* [[Qacha's Nek District|Qacha's Nek]]
* [[Quthing District|Quthing]]
* [[Thaba-Tseka District|Thaba-Tseka]]
}}
The districts are subdivided into 80 [[Constituencies of Lesotho|constituencies]], which consist of 129 local [[Community councils of Lesotho|community councils]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep18292.24 | title=Chapter 22: Lesotho | website=jstor.org| access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref>