Abstract: | In May 1965 Basutoland's pre-independence constitution came into effect. Although Basutoland seemed to be better fitted to operate the Westminster model of government than any other country in Africa, the political life of Basutoland under the 1965 constitution and since 4 October 1966, when it became the independent Kingdom of Lesotho, has been convulsed, however, by a bitter conflict over the suitability for it of a crucial feature of the British pattern. The Paramount Chief, Moshoeshoe II, proved quite unwilling to play the role of a titular Head of State, and his bid for more power has been vigorously supported by the Opposition but firmly resisted by the Government. In this case study of the effort to adapt indigenous African political institutions to the requirements of modern parliamentary democracy the political development in Lesotho is sketched from 1868 when Basutoland was submitted to British control till the struggle between Moshoeshoe II and Prime Minister Jonathan. A survival of the Westminster model in Lesotho seems far from certain. Ref., résumé français. |