Lesotho (1983: Doomsday)

The Constitution Monarchy of Lesotho is a small country in the remanants of South Africa. It is bordered by several countries including KwaZulu and KwaXhosa, which it has good relations with. After Doomsday, it was one of the few states to stay entirely stable. In fact, it expanded slightly.

Pre Doomsday
Basutoland gained its independence from Britain and became the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1966.

In January 1970 the ruling Basotho National Party (BNP) lost the first post-independence general elections, with 23 seats to the Basutoland Congress Party's 36. Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan refused to cede power to the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), declared himself Tona Kholo, and imprisoned the BCP leadership.

BCP began a rebellion and then received training in Libya for its Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA) under the pretense of being Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) soldiers of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Deprived of arms and supplies by the Sibeko faction of the PAC in 1978, the 178-strong LLA was rescued from their Tanzanian base by the financial assistance of a Maoist PAC officer but launched the guerrilla war with only a handful of old weapons. The main force was defeated in northern Lesotho and later guerrillas launched sporadic but usually ineffectual attacks. The campaign was severely compromised when BCP's leader, Ntsu Mokhehle, went to Pretoria. In the early 1980s, several Basotho who sympathized with the exiled BCP were threatened with death and attacked by the government of Leabua Jonathan. In September 1981 the family of Benjamin Masilo was attacked. A few days later, Edgar Mahlomola Motuba was taken from his home and murdered.

The BNP ruled from 1966 till January 1970. What later ensued was a "de facto" government led by Dr Leabua Jonathan until 1986 when a military coup forced it out of office. The Military Council that came to power granted executive powers to King Moshoeshoe II, who was until then a ceremonial monarch. But in 1987 the King was forced into exile after coming up with a six-page memorandum on how he wanted the Lesotho's constitution to be, which would have given him more executive powers had the military government agreed. His son was installed as Letsie III.

Doomsday
On Doomsday, the effects mainly came as widespread panic and the cutting off of funds from Western countries. However, the government quickly installed military law until 1987, when it was ended.

Military
Lesotho's military is around 100,000, but in an emergency draft, can summon up to 700,000, and arm them all, so it is a powerful force in South Africa.

Economy
The economy of Lesotho is agricutural. However during the Post Doomsday period, Lesotho was untouched and thus started building an industrial base. This includes the mining of surrounding mountains for diamonds- several new ones were found in 2005, 2009, and early 2011.

Politics and Government
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. There is a main Voting House, the House of Basotho, and the House of Nobles is less important. However, the Prime Minister must be a noble, though he is elected by popular election.

External Relations
Lesotho is part of the NUSA. It is also an observer nation to the LoN.