Lesotho: 60 years of independence for the 'Kingdom in the Sky'

On October 4, 2026, Lesotho celebrates the 60th anniversary of its independence, which was gained from the United Kingdom on October 4, 1966. The festivities, held under the theme "Honoring our past, shaping our future," include a national prayer, flag-raising ceremonies, a leadership forum, and youth programs.

Moshoeshoe I, the founder

The history of the kingdom dates back to King Moshoeshoe I. In the 1820s, he gathered scattered Sotho communities to form a single nation from his fortress of Thaba Bosiu, a flat-topped mountain that was nearly impossible to capture. In 1868, facing Boer expansion, he requested protection from Great Britain: the territory became the Basutoland protectorate, which would last for nearly a century.

From independence to turbulence

On October 4, 1966, Basutoland became the Kingdom of Lesotho, with King Moshoeshoe II as sovereign and Leabua Jonathan as Prime Minister. The early years were turbulent: in 1970, Jonathan suspended the constitution and exiled the king to the Netherlands for nine months. A military coup in January 1986 further destabilized the country.

A completely landlocked kingdom

Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa, which creates a strong economic dependence. Often nicknamed the "Kingdom in the Sky" due to its altitude, it faces significant development challenges. As the jubilee approaches, citizens are nonetheless praising the respect for democratic principles and peaceful power transitions, according to the national news agency.

Key takeaways

The diamond jubilee is an opportunity to measure the progress made by this small mountain state, between the legacy of Moshoeshoe I, political trials, and the quest for development.