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KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1966 Population: 2,194,000 (2011) GNI p.c.: US$1,220 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 160 Geography Area: 30,355 sq km Coastline: none Capital: Maseru The Kingdom of Lesotho is a small landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is known as the ‘Mountain Kingdom’, the whole country being over 1,000 metres in altitude. The country is divided into ten districts, each named after the principal town: Berea, Butha Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale’s Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing and Thaba-Tseka. Constitution Status: National monarchy Legislature: Parliament of Lesotho Independence: 4 October 1966 Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. The present constitution came into force in 1993, shortly after the return to multiparty democracy, and was amended in 2001 to introduce an element of proportional representation. The monarch is Head of State, the succession being ratified by the College of Chiefs. The Prime Minister is Head of Government and appoints a cabinet. The legislature has two chambers: the National Assembly which is elected for a five-year term, with 80 seats elected on a first-past-the-post basis, and 40 by means of proportional representation; and the non-elected Senate with 33 members, comprising 11 nominated by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister and the 22 principal chiefs of Lesotho. Judicial system Supreme court: High Court of Lesotho Ministry: Justice, Human Rights and Correctional Service Commonwealth Governance 192 Handbook 2013/14 The constitution provides for an independent judicial system and protects fundamental civil liberties. The justice system is based on English common law and Roman–Dutch Law, and is similar to the South African one. The High Court has jurisdiction to hear the most serious civil and criminal cases, and appeals from the lower courts. Appeals from the High Court come before the Court of Appeal. There are no trials by jury. There are magistrates’ courts in each of the ten districts, and more than 70 traditional courts, largely in the rural areas. Appeals from traditional courts come before the judicial commissioners’ courts, from which further appeals may be made to the High Court. Government and politics Last elections: 26 May 2012 Next elections: 2017 Head of State: King Letsie III (1990–95; 1996–) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tom Thabane Ruling party: coalition of All Basotho Convention, Lesotho Congress for Democracy and Basotho National Party Lesotho


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