History Lesotho

 Historical dates

16th century: Sothos migrate to what is now Lesotho and mix with the population.
19th century (beginning of): Basutoland (the territory's former name) welcomes the first white traders.
1820: King Moshoeshoe unites the Sothos and guarantees some power.
1840-68: Conflict between the Sothos and the Dutch colonists in South Africa who want to seize Basutholand.
18681899-1902: Boer war and British victory in South Africa.
1910: Creation of the Southern African Union.
Beginning of mid 20 th century: Lesotho is under British control.
1966: Basutholand's independence, within the framework of the Commonwealth. It becomes Lesotho.
1970: The Prime Minister has more powers than the King, who has a subordinate role.
1986: Coup d'Etat. The King gets back his power.
1993: Civilians take over the head of the State.
1998:Elections are objected and a civil war breaks out. South Africa intervenes and calms the conflict.
Today:Letsie III has been the king since 1996. The Prime Minister since 1998 is Pakalitha MOSISILI.