Moshoeshoe II

Moshoeshoe II (1938-1996), paramount chief of Basutoland (1960-1966), king of Lesotho (1966-1990; 1995-1996). Born in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, the eldest son of Paramount Chief Seeiso Griffith, Moshoeshoe II was a direct descendent of Moshoeshoe, the 19th-century founder of the Basotho nation. He studied politics, philosophy, economics, and law at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford. Moshoeshoe II returned home before completing his studies to be throned paramount chief of Basutoland in March 1960. When Basutoland became independent as Lesotho in 1966, he was declared king. After Chief Joseph Leabua Jonathan was elected prime minister in 1965, conflict developed over the extent of the king's power. In 1967 Moshoeshoe agreed to abide by the constitution, which vested executive authority in the prime minister. In the January 1970 general elections, Jonathan recognized his party would be voted out so he nullified the elections and suspended the constitution. Moshoeshoe was arrested, and then exiled in March. After agreeing to avoid political activity, Moshoeshoe returned from the Netherlands in December 1970 as a ceremonial head of state, subject to the rule of Jonathan's military government. However, he was exiled a second time in March 1990 when he refused to endorse the orders of Major-General Justin Lekhanya, Jonathan's successor.

On November 6, 1990 Lekhanya dethroned Moshoeshoe, after the monarch rebuffed an offer to return from exile and demanded the reinstitution of constitutional government and the end of military rule. The king's eldest son was crowned King Letsie III two days later. Moshoeshoe resettled in London, where he cofounded the International Institute for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa. In August 1994 Letsie attempted a royal coup, dismissing the government and suspending sections of the constitution. The ensuing internal unrest, along with international condemnation and sanctions, led to the return of democratic rule and the restoration, on January 25, 1995, of Moshoeshoe II to the throne. The constitutional provision prohibiting political activity by the monarch remained in effect. Moshoeshoe II was killed in a car accident in Lesotho on January 15, 1996.