blueprint lesotho january 2007 jan duvenage 27 11 636 4557 standardbank co za background basutoland was renamed the kingdom of upon independence from uk in 1966 basuto national party ruled for first two decades king moshoeshoe exiled 1990 but returned to 1992 and reinstated 1995 constitutional government restored 1993 after seven years military rule 1998 violent protests a mutiny following contentious election prompted brief bloody intervention by south african botswanan forces under aegis southern development community reforms have since political stability peaceful parliamentary elections were held 2002 source cia world factbook 2006 type monarchy capital maseru 4 october chief state letsie iii 7 february 1996 head is prime minister pakalitha mosisili 23 may executive branch none according constitution leader majority assembly automatically becomes monarch hereditary terms which came into effect march
