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Katse Dam, Losotho
Image: Stefan Möhl/DW Image: Stefan Möhl/DW

Lesotho

Lesotho is a tiny nation in southern Africa that is completely surrounded by South Africa. The majority Christian nation has a population of 2.2 million and gained independence from the UK on October 4, 1966.

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All Content on this topic

Ski enthusiasts descend a slope at the Afriski Resort in the Maluti Mountains.

Lesotho: Southern Africa's skiing destination

The ski resort in the Maluti Mountains has already overcome several challenges to remain operational.
TravelAugust 25, 20248 images
Water of the Katse Dam in the green Maluti-Mountains in Lesotho

Lesotho's water: Will villagers be compensated?

Experts want revenue from the sale of water to compensate villagers for their resettlement.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 17, 2024
A woman standing with an outstretched arm towards a lake

Getting to know Brazzaville, Tamale and Maseru

A youth politician from Brazzaville, a rapper from Maseru and an artist from Tamale show the best side of their cities.
TravelApril 29, 202406:02 min
A file image showing two zama zamas working inside an abandoned mine shaft in South Africa

South Africa: 31 dead in methane blast at disused gold mine

The victims are believed to be "zama zamas," or illegal miners, from the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
CatastropheJune 23, 2023
afrimaxx 09.06.2023

The taste of Lesotho

How Chef Donald brings the traditional taste of his homeland to the world's table.
LifestyleJune 9, 202305:30 min
Grenze DR Kongo Uganda Bunagana Flüchtlinge

AfricaLink on Air - 26 October 2022

DR Congo troops clash with M23 rebels+++Calls to fire Ghana's finance minister mounts
PoliticsOctober 26, 202229:55 min
Gambia Banjul Todesfälle durch Einnahme von verunreinigten Hustensäften aus Indien

AfricaLink on Air — 10 October 2022

Gambia-India cough syrup scandal update +++ Outcome of Lesotho general elections
PoliticsOctober 10, 202229:59 min
Cannabis buds with CBD crystals

Lesotho's cannabis becomes big business

Medicinal marijuana could be the next big agricultural money-spinner for the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
SocietyJune 30, 202204:41 min
Mosambik | Besuch Filipe Nyusi und Paul Kagame in der Provinz Cabo Delgado

AfricaLink on Air — 27 April 2022

President Nyusi arrives in Kampala for official visit +++ Sudan's renewed clashes kill dozens
SocietyApril 27, 202229:59 min
Lesotho's dams generate income, but local villagers don't benefit

Dams and water problems in Lesotho's highlands

Lesotho's highland dams generate income from water exports and hydropower but villagers feel left out.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 10, 202115:46 min
Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thabane arrives to address the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 28, 2018.

Lesotho PM steps down over ex-wife murder probe

The resignation follows a months-long political crisis in the kingdom.
PoliticsMay 19, 2020
Thomas Thabane

Lesotho PM Thomas Thabane to quit

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane faces prosecution over the murder of his ex-wife, which caused his government to collapse.
PoliticsMay 13, 2020
Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thabane

Murder most foul in Lesotho

While not officially charged with murder, Prime Minister Thabane is under growing pressure to resign.
PoliticsFebruary 25, 2020
Thomas Thabane 16.08.2014

AfricaLink on Air – 21 February 2020

Lesotho's Prime Minister fails to show up in court to face murder charges+++South Sudanese now hope for a lasting peace
PoliticsFebruary 21, 202029:59 min
Thomas Thabane in 2013 picture-alliance/dpa)

Lesotho PM fails to show in court on murder charge

Police said they will issue an arrest warrant if they cannot determine Thomas Thabane's whereabouts.
Law and JusticeFebruary 21, 2020
Mike Pompeo in Angola

AfricaLink on Air - 18 February 2020

UN urges Cameroonian government to investigate recent killings +++ Murder trial of Lesotho PM's wife postponed
February 18, 202029:58 min
Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thabane

Lesotho: PM resigns after alleged link to wife's murder

His current wife, Maesaiah, is currently wanted by the police for questioning — and her whereabouts are unknown.
CrimeJanuary 16, 2020
Levi jeans

Levi's, Wrangler vow to end rape culture in factories

An investigation into denim manufacturers in Africa has unveiled systemic sexual abuse by local and foreign managers.
PoliticsAugust 16, 2019
910-carat diamond found in Lesotho

Giant diamond found in Lesotho

One of the world's largest diamonds has been found in Letseng mine in Lesotho, a small country in Southern Africa.
Nature and EnvironmentJanuary 15, 2018
Lesotho army chief Khoantle Motsomotso

South Africa drawn into Lesotho's power struggle

SADC is sending a rapid-response team to probe the killing of Lesotho's army chief.
PoliticsSeptember 9, 2017
Karte Lesotho ENG

Lesotho's army chief killed in gunfight - officials

The killing has prompted fears of a resurgence of political instability in the southern African nation.
PoliticsSeptember 5, 2017
Lesotho Prime Minister elect Thomas Thabane

Wife of new Lesotho PM is shot dead

Lipolelo Thabane’s killing has raised fears political violence may return to the mountain kingdom.
CrimeJune 15, 2017
Äthiopien Addis Abeba Salva Kiir Mayardit

AfricaLink on Air - 9 June 2017

South Sudan criticized for banning foreign journalists+++UK’s May to form a new government despite election setback
PoliticsJune 9, 201730:00 min
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Health care for rural Lesotho

The clinic team headed by Dr Faturiyele provides medical assistance to the people living in the remote mountain region
HealthApril 5, 201701:33 min
Lesotho Feier während einer Eröffnungszeremonie in Maseru

Lesotho: Real freedom after 50 years of independence?

On October 4, Lesotho is celebrating 50 years of independence. But do its people really have reason to celebrate?
PoliticsOctober 3, 2016
Lesotho Mobile Gesundheitsversorgung: Bluttests

Healthcare for mountain villages in Lesotho

The clinic team headed by Dr Faturiyele provides medical assistance to the people living in the remote mountain region
August 18, 2016
Moleboheng Rampou Youth 4 Peace

Youth takes up the fight against HIV / Aids in Lesotho

For decades Lesotho battled the spread of AIDS. The Youth 4 Peace organization openly discusses the stigma.
June 13, 2016
Lehlohonolo Masotsa Schäfer Hirte Afrika (Foto: Stefan Möhl / DW)

A school for child shepherds in Lesotho

Julius Mojoro, a former shepherd himself, started a night school to ensure they get at least basic education.
June 13, 2016
Lehlohonolo Masotsa Schäfer Hirte Afrika

A school for child shepherds in Lesotho

Julius Mojoro a former shepherd started night school for child shepherds to ensure they get a basic education.
EducationJune 12, 201603:20 min
Map showing Lesotho surrounded by South Africa

Looming crisis in Lesotho

SADC has sent a mediator to Lesotho following the killing of a former army chief which has aroused fregional concerns.
July 1, 2015
Lesotho Maseru Parlamentswahlen

Lesotho's coalition carousel

Lesotho's main parties are looking for coalition partners as none can rule alone.
March 4, 2015

Lesotho goes to the polls

Basothos go the polls on Saturday for an early election staged to restore order after a coup attempt last August.
February 26, 2015
Putsch-Versuch in Lesotho 30.08.2014

Lesotho, landlocked and leaderless

After an attempted coup, the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho remains leaderless.
September 1, 2014
Lesotho military headquarters

Zuma to meet Lesotho’s Thabane

South Africa's president will meet Lesotho's prime minister to resolve an impasse in the small mountain kingdom. Over the weekend, soldiers launched an apparent coup in Lesotho.
September 1, 2014
Soldiers atop a military vehicle leave the Army Barracks on August 30, 2014 in Maseru. Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane claimed on August 30 he fled in fear of his life after soldiers seized power in a coup, despite the military denying it overthrew the tiny mountain kingdom's government.

Lesotho PM in South Africa

Leaders of the tiny African nation of Lesotho were reported to be gathering in neighboring South Africa to talk through a political standoff. The country's prime minister has accused his deputy of planning a coup.
August 31, 2014
Thomas Thabane, center, waves beside US Chief of Protocol Ambassador Peter Selfridge (L), upon arriving at the North Portico of the White House, in Washington DC, USA, 05 August 2014

Lesotho army rejects coup

The prime minister of Lesotho has accused the country's army of a coup, something the military has denied. Soldiers in the small African kingdom had seized control of the police headquarters.
August 30, 2014
Map showing Lesotho

Lesotho coup?

Soldiers in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho have seized police headquarters and surrounded government buildings, officials say. The unrest comes after police banned a planned anti-government protest.
August 30, 2014
Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili

Lesotho premier resigns

The prime minister of Lesotho has stood down after his party fell way short of a majority in parliament. The mountain kingdom now looks set to be governed by its first-ever coalition.
May 30, 2012
A Lesotho election official makes a phone call as he waits for last minute voters near the eastern Lesotho town of Mokhotlong Saturday May 26, 2012. Voters in the tiny southern African mountain kingdom of Lesotho went to the polls Saturday to elect a new government . (Foto:Jerome Delay/AP/dapd)

Lesotho heads towards a coalition government

Lesotho, the mountain kingdom landlocked by South Africa, could be governed by its first ever coalition, after a clear winner failed to emerge at parliamentary elections.
May 30, 2012
Lesotho political party observers witness voters at the Mpho primary school in Maseru, Lesotho, Saturday May 26, 2012. Voters in the tiny southern African mountain kingdom of Lesotho go to the polls Saturday to elect a new government. (Foto:Jerome Delay/AP/dapd)

Lesotho election outcome uncertain

Lesotho looks set for its first coalition government after closely fought general elections last weekend, with partial returns showing that no party would likely win a majority.
May 29, 2012
A view of the mountain scenery in Lesotho

Lesotho elections

Lesotho voters hope parliamentary elections will improve life in the landlocked African nation.
May 25, 2012