Basotho Congress Party
Encyclopedia
The Basutoland Congress Party is a pan-africanist
and left-wing political party
in Lesotho
, led by Ntsukunyane Mphanya.
The Basutoland African Congress (BAC) was founded in 1952 by Ntsu Mokhehle
and Potlako Leballo
. The party was renamed the Basutoland Congress Party (BCP) in 1957 and retained this name after independence in 1966, stating that Lesotho was not truly independent. Leballo left the party in 1959 to form the Pan Africanist Congress of South Africa (PAC).
The BCP lost the 1965 election but won in 1970. It was denied power by a military coup in support of the defeated prime minister Leabua Jonathan Molapo.
In 1974, following an unsuccessful rising, the BCP sent 178 men for military training by the PAC in Libya. In 1979 they began a guerrilla war as the Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA).
The party won a landslide victory at the 1993 legislative elections, and its leader Ntsu Mokhehle became prime minister. Mokhehle left the party in 1997 with his faction to form the Lesotho Congress for Democracy
. The BCP was led by Tseliso Makhakhe, Qhobela Molapo and (at present) Ntsukunyane Mphanya.
At the last elections
for the National Assembly
, 25 May 2002, the party won 2.6% of the vote and 3 out of 120 seats.
Pan-Africanism
Pan-Africanism is a movement that seeks to unify African people or people living in Africa, into a "one African community". Differing types of Pan-Africanism seek different levels of economic, racial, social, or political unity...
and left-wing political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
, led by Ntsukunyane Mphanya.
The Basutoland African Congress (BAC) was founded in 1952 by Ntsu Mokhehle
Ntsu Mokhehle
Ntsu Mokhehle was a Lesotho politician. He served as Prime Minister of the country from 2 April 1993 to 17 August 1994 and from 14 September 1994 to 29 May 1998.Mokhehle was born in Teyateyaneng...
and Potlako Leballo
Potlako Leballo
Potlkako Leballo was an Africanist who led the Pan Africanist Congress until 1979. Leballo was co-founder of the Basutoland African Congress in 1952 and a World War II veteran and primary school headmaster.-Early Years:...
. The party was renamed the Basutoland Congress Party (BCP) in 1957 and retained this name after independence in 1966, stating that Lesotho was not truly independent. Leballo left the party in 1959 to form the Pan Africanist Congress of South Africa (PAC).
The BCP lost the 1965 election but won in 1970. It was denied power by a military coup in support of the defeated prime minister Leabua Jonathan Molapo.
In 1974, following an unsuccessful rising, the BCP sent 178 men for military training by the PAC in Libya. In 1979 they began a guerrilla war as the Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA).
The party won a landslide victory at the 1993 legislative elections, and its leader Ntsu Mokhehle became prime minister. Mokhehle left the party in 1997 with his faction to form the Lesotho Congress for Democracy
Lesotho Congress for Democracy
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy is a political party in Lesotho.In 1997, Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle left the Basutoland Congress Party to form with his faction the new Lesotho Congress for Democracy. The new party won the 1998 elections with 60.7% of the popular vote and 79 out of 80 seats....
. The BCP was led by Tseliso Makhakhe, Qhobela Molapo and (at present) Ntsukunyane Mphanya.
At the last elections
Elections in Lesotho
Lesotho elects a legislature on national level. The Parliament has two chambers: the National Assembly with 120 members, elected for a five-year term, 80 in single-seat constituencies and 40 by proportional representation; and the Senate, with 33 nominated members.Lesotho is a one party dominant...
for the National Assembly
National Assembly of Lesotho
The National Assembly of Lesotho is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 17 February 2007, has a total of 120 members. 80 members are elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system...
, 25 May 2002, the party won 2.6% of the vote and 3 out of 120 seats.