2014 Lesotho political crisis

2014 Lesotho political crisis
Tom Thabane was elected as Prime Minister in 2012
Date 30 August 2014 Location  Lesotho Result Coup attempt failed Early election called Initial flight of prime minister and eventual return under South African police protection
Belligerents
Lesotho Police Government of Lesotho	Lesotho Army Government of Lesotho
Commanders and leaders
Prime Minister Tom Thabane	Lieutenant General Kennedy Tlali Kamoli Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing
Casualties and losses
1 policeman

On 30 August 2014, Lesotho's Prime Minister Tom Thabane alleged that a coup d'état had been launched against him. This followed a previous allegation which caused him to suspend parliament over possible extra-constitutional manoeuvres. It also followed pressure from South Africa to maintain the democratic process. The next day, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing assumed responsibility for running the government. An early election was held in February 2015 as a result of South African-led Southern African Development Community (SADC) mediation, giving power to the opposition.^[1]