All Basotho Convention
Encyclopedia
The All Basotho Convention (ABC) is a political party
in Lesotho
. The party was formed in October 2006 and is headed by Tom Thabane
, a former minister in the Lesotho Congress for Democracy
(LCD) led government of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili
.
A total of 18 members of parliament crossed the floor to join the ABC in opposition on October 13, 2006; these included Thabane and 16 other former LCD members, along with one independent, Lehlohonolo Tšehlana, who had previously been expelled from the LCD.
The 18 members of parliament joining the ABC, along with their constituencies, were:
The ABC thus became the third largest party in the country's National Assembly
. The ruling party was left with 61 of the 120 parliamentary seats, and ABC leaders expressed the expectation that more LCD members would defect, which would have given the opposition a majority. In late November, parliament was dissolved and an early election was called for February 2007.
ABC has attracted local musicians who had given up hope on this country by making a life in the neighbouring country (South Africa). Among others jazz artists Ts'epo Tshola and Bhudaza Mapefane and famo artists artists namely Selomo, Chakela
and Mants'a. The new All Basotho Convention is believed by young people to have changed the political situation of this country whereby elections and politics in general were viewed as "senior citizens' business."
ABC contested the 17 February 2007 Lesotho general elections. It was anticipated that it would win the majority of the urban constituencies. The party won 17 constituency seats, falling far short of the 61 seats won by the LCD.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. The party was formed in October 2006 and is headed by Tom Thabane
Tom Thabane
Tom Motsoahae Thabane is a Basotho politician, a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Lesotho, and the leader of the opposition All Basotho Convention....
, a former minister in the Lesotho Congress for Democracy
Lesotho Congress for Democracy
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy is a political party in Lesotho.In 1997, Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle left the Basutoland Congress Party to form with his faction the new Lesotho Congress for Democracy. The new party won the 1998 elections with 60.7% of the popular vote and 79 out of 80 seats....
(LCD) led government of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili
Pakalitha Mosisili
Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili has been the Prime Minister of Lesotho since May 29, 1998. He led his party, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy , to a near-total victory in the 1998 election, and under his leadership the party also won majorities in the 2002 and 2007 elections...
.
A total of 18 members of parliament crossed the floor to join the ABC in opposition on October 13, 2006; these included Thabane and 16 other former LCD members, along with one independent, Lehlohonolo Tšehlana, who had previously been expelled from the LCD.
The 18 members of parliament joining the ABC, along with their constituencies, were:
- M. Maliehe (Butha-Buthe)
- Sello Peter Maphalla (Hlotse)
- Mokholane Pita (Maputsoe)
- Lijane Edwin Selikane (Mosalemane)
- Matooane Mokhosi (Bela-Bela)
- Clement S. Machakela (Mahlatsa)
- Mabuo Kojoana (Thupa-Kubu)
- Seeiso Simon Sehloho (Mabote)
- Lehlohonolo Mafaesa (Stadium Area)
- ’Mapheello B. Tšuluba (Qoaling)
- Molobeli Bernard Soulo (Lithoteng)
- Tom Thabane (Abia)
- Molebatsi Khaile (Qeme)
- Freddy Rantelali Shea (’Maletsunyane)
- Retšelisitsoe Ranooe (Kolo)
- Seabata Joseph Monare (Qhalasi)
- ’Nyane Mphafi (Thaba-Tseka)
- Lehlohonolo Tšehlana (Mokhotlong)
The ABC thus became the third largest party in the country's National Assembly
National Assembly of Lesotho
The National Assembly of Lesotho is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 17 February 2007, has a total of 120 members. 80 members are elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system...
. The ruling party was left with 61 of the 120 parliamentary seats, and ABC leaders expressed the expectation that more LCD members would defect, which would have given the opposition a majority. In late November, parliament was dissolved and an early election was called for February 2007.
ABC has attracted local musicians who had given up hope on this country by making a life in the neighbouring country (South Africa). Among others jazz artists Ts'epo Tshola and Bhudaza Mapefane and famo artists artists namely Selomo, Chakela
Mosotho chakela
Mokete Shadrack Chakela, more commonly known as Mosotho Chakelaor just Chakela, was born 1963 in Mafeteng, Lesotho in Southern Africa. He is a cultural music singer in a popular Lesotho musical tradition called famo.-Music:...
and Mants'a. The new All Basotho Convention is believed by young people to have changed the political situation of this country whereby elections and politics in general were viewed as "senior citizens' business."
ABC contested the 17 February 2007 Lesotho general elections. It was anticipated that it would win the majority of the urban constituencies. The party won 17 constituency seats, falling far short of the 61 seats won by the LCD.
External links
- All Basotho Convention - official site