External military intervention in Lesotho's recent political crisis

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Periodical article

Title:	External military intervention in Lesotho's recent political crisis
Author:	Molomo, Mpho G.
Year:	1999
Periodical:	Lesotho Social Sciences Review (ISSN 1028-0790)
Volume:	5
Issue:	1
Period:	June
Pages:	133-162
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Lesotho Southern Africa
Subjects:	military intervention SADC politics Political crisis Intervention (International law) Conflict management
Abstract:	On September 22, 1998, the defence forces of Botswana and South Africa intervened in Lesotho's political crisis. The intervention ('Operation Boleas') generated a lot of controversy regarding its legitimacy and moral righteousness. This paper discusses this intervention, paying particular attention to the part played by Botswana. It first provides the historical context within which to understand the political crisis in Lesotho, especially since 1994. Second, it projects scenarios on the legitimacy of the intervention. Third, it addresses the implications of the intervention for Botswana's foreign policy in southern Africa. And last, it concludes that a peaceful settlement was probably not fully explored in the resolution of the Lesotho crisis, and that SADC member States should formulate common regional strategies for resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum.