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KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1966 Population: 2,074,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 2.8% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 162 Official languages: Sesotho, English Time: GMT plus 2 hrs Currency: Loti, plural maloti (M) 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 more than 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-pastthe post basis and 40 by means of proportional representation; and the non-elected Senate, which has 33 members – 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 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 that Commonwealth Governance 186 Handbook 2014/15 of South Africa. The High Court has jurisdiction to hear the most serious civil and criminal cases as well as 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: 28 February 2015 Next elections: 2020 Head of state: King Letsie III (1990–95; 1996–) Head of government: Prime Minister Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili Ruling party: Coalition of Democratic Congress, Lesotho Congress for Democracy and five other parties Women MPs: 27% (previous Parliament) In the first elections following the introduction of an element of proportional representation, in May 2002, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) took 77 seats and 54.9 per cent of the votes, the Basotho National Party (BNP) 21 and 22.4 per cent, and eight other parties each gained seats. Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili was Lesotho


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