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Tom Thabane

Thomas Motsoahae Thabane (born 28 May 1939) is a veteran Lesotho politician who served as Prime Minister of the mountain kingdom from June 2012 to February 2015 and from June 2017 to May 2020. Born in Maseru, Thabane earned a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Lesotho before entering politics, where he founded the All Basotho Convention party in 2006 after breaking from the Lesotho Congress for Democracy. His tenures were marked by efforts to stabilize governance amid recurrent political turbulence, including a 2014 military intervention that prompted him to seek refuge in South Africa before returning under regional mediation. Thabane's leadership faced significant controversy, particularly over the 2017 murder of his estranged wife Lipolelo Thabane, for which he and his then-wife Maesaiah were charged in 2021; the charges were dropped in 2022 amid claims of political motivation by supporters. He resigned in 2020 under pressure from coalition partners and impeachment threats, citing age as a factor in his retirement.

Early life and education

Early years and professional beginnings

Thomas Motsoahae Thabane was born on 28 May 1939 in Makhoakhoeng, a rural area in , then under British protection. His upbringing occurred in a traditional Mosotho household amid Lesotho's rugged, landlocked terrain, where and herding dominated rural life, reflecting the limited economic opportunities available to many Basotho families prior to independence. Thabane completed his elementary education at Masianokeng in the early . He continued to before pursuing , earning a degree from the . This academic background equipped him with foundational knowledge in and , essential for his subsequent career trajectory. Upon Lesotho's independence in 1966, Thabane joined the during the one-party rule of Prime Minister . He served for two decades in bureaucratic roles, advancing to positions such as principal secretary, where he managed and policy implementation. These early experiences in the developed his expertise in governmental operations, emphasizing efficiency and advisory functions within Lesotho's nascent administrative framework.

Political career

Entry into politics and civil service roles

Thabane entered shortly after Lesotho's in , beginning as a during the one-party rule of , which lasted until a military coup in 1986. He spent two decades in administrative roles, gaining experience in amid the kingdom's early post-colonial challenges, including and economic dependence on . This period established him as a before transitioning to elected . His formal entry into politics occurred in 1990 under the military regime that had seized power four years earlier, when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Information, and Broadcasting. This role exposed him to Lesotho's volatile interplay between civilian institutions and the military, including efforts to restore constitutional rule amid regional pressures from apartheid-era . Following the 1993 return to under Ntsu Mokhehle, Thabane continued in ministerial capacities, serving as Minister of and building diplomatic networks essential for the landlocked nation's stability. In the late 1990s, under Pakalitha Mosisili's government starting in 1998, Thabane held key cabinet positions, including another stint as Minister of Foreign Affairs until 2002, followed by appointment as Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety. These roles, spanning and , honed his administrative expertise during episodes of electoral disputes and military unrest, such as the 1998 army mutiny that required South African and intervention. By 2006, after nearly a decade in Mosisili's administration, Thabane had cultivated a reputation as a pragmatic operator in 's factional political environment, though he later broke with the ruling party.

Formation of the All Basotho Convention and opposition leadership

In October 2006, Thomas Motsoahae Thabane resigned from his position as Communications Minister in the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) government led by Pakalitha Mosisili, following a series of internal feuds within the party. He subsequently founded the (ABC) on October 13, 2006, alongside 16 other former LCD members, establishing it as a breakaway opposition party aimed at challenging the ruling establishment. The ABC positioned itself as a reformist alternative, emphasizing commitments to combat , , , disease, and crime, which appealed to voters disillusioned with the long-dominant LCD's governance. Thabane's departure highlighted recurring splits in 's political landscape, where personal and ideological rifts often led to new party formations as vehicles for dissent against perceived entrenchment of power. As ABC leader, Thabane emerged as a principal figure in Lesotho's opposition, advocating for democratic reforms amid concerns over authoritarian tendencies and undue military influence in civilian affairs, drawing on the country's history of post-independence instability including coups and interventions. The party pursued a populist strategy, contesting the 2007 snap elections with an agenda focused on anti-corruption measures and socioeconomic improvements, though it secured only 21 of 120 seats in the proportional representation component, establishing ABC as the main challenger to the LCD's successor, the Democratic Congress (DC). Thabane's leadership emphasized coalition-building among opposition factions to counter the incumbent's dominance, criticizing governance failures and pushing for accountability in institutions prone to elite capture. By the 2012 general elections, Thabane's ABC demonstrated strategic gains, winning 30 constituency seats and leveraging alliances with other opposition groups, including former LCD elements and the Basotho National Party, to form a three-party coalition that displaced Mosisili's DC government. This outcome reflected Thabane's focus on uniting fragmented opposition forces against the ruling party's perceived authoritarianism and resistance to reforms, marking a pivotal shift in Lesotho's multiparty dynamics without relying on absolute majorities. The ABC's rise underscored Thabane's role in fostering competitive opposition politics, prioritizing electoral pacts to amplify anti-incumbency sentiment and advocate for civilian oversight of security sectors amid ongoing threats of military meddling.

First term as Prime Minister (2012–2015)

Thabane assumed the office of on June 8, 2012, following general elections held on May 26, 2012, in which his All Basotho Convention (ABC) secured 30 seats but no party achieved a majority in the 120-seat . The ABC formed Lesotho's first coalition government with the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Basotho National Party (BNP), and two smaller parties, collectively holding 61 seats and ousting the incumbent Democratic Congress-led administration of Pakalitha Mosisili. This power-sharing arrangement marked a shift toward multiparty but sowed seeds of instability due to competing interests among partners, including Mothetjoa Metsing of the LCD. Early in the term, Thabane's administration prioritized stabilizing governance amid economic challenges and security sector dysfunction, including efforts to reorganize security portfolios and assert civilian oversight over the (LDF). These reforms aimed to curb military insubordination and factionalism inherited from prior regimes, but they triggered resistance from army elements loyal to previous leadership, leading to sporadic clashes and heightened tensions between Thabane and LDF commanders. Policy implementations focused on basic service delivery and measures, though coalition frictions limited broader economic initiatives, with growth hampered by reliance on South African customs revenue and domestic political gridlock. By mid-2014, intra-coalition disputes intensified, culminating in constitutional friction when Thabane prorogued on June 19, 2014, with King Letsie III's sanction, to avert a no-confidence motion tabled by LCD and other partners seeking his removal. Failure to reconvene by the promised August 14 deadline exacerbated the standoff, amid accusations of power grabs and military meddling. On August 30, 2014, Thabane fled to , alleging an imminent coup orchestrated by the army with Metsing's complicity, after soldiers reportedly surrounded his residence and assaulted police headquarters. These events precipitated the coalition's collapse and paved the way for snap elections in 2015.

2015 crisis, exile, and interim period

In February 2015, snap general elections were held on the 28th, prompted by (SADC) mediation to resolve the political deadlock and security uncertainties lingering from the 2014 crisis. Pakalitha Mosisili's Democratic Congress (DC) won 47 of the 120 seats, edging out Tom Thabane's All Basotho Convention (ABC) with 46 seats; Mothetjoa Metsing's Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) secured 12 seats. Mosisili swiftly assembled a coalition comprising the DC, LCD, and five smaller parties, enabling him to be sworn in as on March 17, 2015, and displacing Thabane's government. The transition intensified disputes over sector control. Mosisili reinstated Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli as (LDF) commander—a figure Thabane had dismissed in 2014 amid allegations of coup plotting—and dismissed Thabane's appointee, Major General Maaparankoe Mahao. Thabane condemned these moves as reversals of SADC-brokered reforms under the October 2014 Security Accord, accusing the military of overreach and undermining civilian authority. On May 18, 2015, Thabane, alongside Basotho National Party leader Thesele Maseribane and other opposition figures, fled to , claiming imminent threats to their lives from LDF elements loyal to the new regime and non-compliance with reform protocols. From , Thabane pursued diplomatic and legal avenues to contest Mosisili's administration, appealing to SADC for intervention to enforce security reforms and protect opposition rights, while alleging electoral irregularities and military intimidation suppressed dissent. SADC dispatched envoys and brokered talks, culminating in a that facilitated Thabane's secure return to on August 30, 2015. This episode highlighted persistent institutional fragility in , where military influence repeatedly intersected with executive transitions, fostering cycles of exile and negotiation over stable governance.

2017 elections and second term as Prime Minister (2017–2020)

Snap elections were held in on 3 June 2017 after the previous led by Pakalitha Mosisili collapsed due to a successful no-confidence vote. The All Basotho Convention (ABC), led by Tom Thabane, secured 48 of the 120 seats in the , emerging as the largest party but short of a majority. Thabane subsequently formed a with smaller parties, including the Alliance of Democrats (AD) and the Basotho National Party (BNP), to assume power. Thabane was inaugurated as on 16 June 2017 at Setsoto Stadium in , where he thanked his predecessor for facilitating a smooth transfer of power and pledged to prioritize national stability and reform. The ceremony occurred amid the personal tragedy of his ex-wife's murder two days earlier, which cast a shadow over the proceedings but did not delay the transition. During his second term, Thabane's faced ongoing internal frictions, including disputes over positions and priorities that strained alliances with junior partners. These tensions contributed to political instability, mirroring patterns in 's history of fragmented coalitions. In response to the , Thabane declared a three-week nationwide starting at midnight on 29 March 2020, alongside measures like quarantining arriving travelers for 14 days, though recorded its first case only in May 2020. Facing a looming motion of no-confidence from opposition and coalition partners, Thabane on 19 2020 for three months, citing the need to focus on the pandemic response. The move was widely viewed as an attempt to evade the vote, prompting legal challenges; the later ruled the prorogation irrational and unlawful, nullifying it. Thabane also deployed the army to the streets in April 2020 amid heightened tensions, further escalating concerns over governance.

Resignation and post-premiership activities

Thabane resigned as of on 19 May 2020, following the collapse of his four-party on 11 May and mounting pressure from an internal revolt within his All Basotho Convention () party. The unrest stemmed from dissatisfaction over his leadership amid political instability and an ongoing police probe into the 2017 killing of his estranged ex-wife, though no charges were filed against him at the time. He handed power to his Finance Minister, Moeketsi Majoro, who was sworn in as successor on 20 May. In the wake of his , Thabane retreated from frontline , adopting a low-profile stance with minimal public engagements or interventions in party affairs. The , which he had founded and led to victory in , fractured amid contests and factional disputes, including high-profile defections and battles over party structures. These divisions contributed to the party's sharp decline in the 7 October general elections, where the ABC secured just eight seats in the 120-member , down from 51 in 2017, as voters shifted support to newer formations like the Revolution for Prosperity. By 2025, Thabane's influence had waned further, marked by the absence of notable endorsements or statements on Lesotho's evolving political scene.

Governance and policies

Security sector reforms

Upon assuming the premiership in June 2012, Thabane initiated efforts to depoliticize the (LDF) by dismissing its commander, Tlali Kamoli—perceived as loyal to the prior administration of Pakalitha Mosisili—and appointing Maaparankoe Mahao in his place. This purge of perceived political loyalists escalated tensions, leading to factional clashes between army and police units, the occupation of police stations, and Thabane's flight to in August 2014 amid allegations of a coup attempt. The (SADC) mediated the Maseru Security Accord in October 2014, which reinstated Thabane temporarily and outlined preliminary steps toward security reforms, including commitments to prosecute security personnel involved in and to curb military interference in civilian affairs. SADC deployed a 270-member preventive force, primarily n troops, to stabilize the situation until its withdrawal in 2016. Following his return to power after the June 2017 elections, Thabane's advanced sector reforms through the November 2017 National Reforms Framework and Roadmap, prioritizing the development of a National Policy by April 2018 to foster professionalism and coordination across forces. Key proposals included establishing a , chaired by the with multi-stakeholder input, to enhance civilian oversight; conducting institutional assessments of the LDF, police, and National Service; and reviewing legislation such as the National Defence Act to enforce accountability mechanisms and limit political interference in appointments like those of the LDF and . SADC reinforced these efforts by appointing facilitators and setting a 19 May 2019 deadline for integrated constitutional and reforms, emphasizing depoliticization via dialogues and committees. Critics contended that Thabane instrumentalized reforms to entrench personal influence, citing delays in implementation amid infighting and his administration's resistance to judicial probes into abuses, such as the of Mahao by LDF members. While the post-2014 SADC intervention reduced overt coups—none occurred during Thabane's second term—politicization endured, evidenced by ongoing factionalism, unresolved prosecutions of soldiers for crimes like the 2017 killing of Mokalekale Motsomotso, and risks of force meddling in politics as late as 2020. Surveys reflected public disillusionment, with majorities favoring parliamentary rather than prime ministerial over LDF to mitigate overreach. Overall, reforms yielded partial stabilization but failed to eradicate structural vulnerabilities in the apparatus by Thabane's in May 2020.

Economic and developmental initiatives

During his first term as Prime Minister from 2012 to 2015, Thabane prioritized infrastructure development through the (LHWP), a binational initiative with that generates revenue via water exports and . In September 2013, he assumed direct oversight of the LHWP from the Water Affairs Minister to streamline implementation, and Phase II was officially launched on March 28, 2014, in Mokhotlong District, aiming to expand dams, tunnels, and delivery systems for enhanced water transfer and electricity generation. By 2019, Thabane described the LHWP as the "backbone" of Lesotho's economy, underscoring its role in providing steady foreign exchange amid the country's heavy reliance on (SACU) revenues and aid, which constituted over 40% of GDP in the period. Thabane's administration also sought to address and —affecting over 40% of the —through agricultural revitalization and promotion. He emphasized agriculture's potential to reduce and create on- and off-farm jobs, aligning with campaign pledges for job creation, , and health improvements. In April 2014, at a forum in , Thabane declared Lesotho "open for business," targeting in textiles under the (AGOA) and infrastructure to diversify beyond SACU dependency. Coalition partnerships during his second term (2017–2020) facilitated anti-poverty programs, though specifics remained tied to broader social assistance reforms rather than standalone initiatives. Economic outcomes were mixed, hampered by Lesotho's aid-dependent structure and recurrent political crises. Real GDP growth averaged approximately 3% annually from 2012 to 2014, driven partly by construction in LHWP Phase II and textile exports, but slowed to 2.5% in 2015 amid the that forced Thabane's . In his second term, growth stagnated further at around 1.4% in 2018 and 0.2% in 2019, reflecting SACU revenue volatility and instability, before contracting sharply by 8.2% in 2020 due to global factors including , though domestic turmoil exacerbated fiscal constraints. Criticisms centered on inefficiencies in contract allocation within coalitions, where reportedly favored allies over merit, undermining in projects like LHWP expansions. Reports highlighted broader issues of political interference in public contracts, contributing to suboptimal resource use in an economy where perceptions ranked 75th out of 180 countries in 2019, though direct attributions to Thabane's economic favoritism were limited amid general challenges.

Criticisms of authoritarian tendencies and instability

Thabane's leadership during his second term as (2017–2020) drew criticism for authoritarian tactics, particularly the repeated use of to suspend ary sessions and circumvent opposition challenges. In 2014, during his first term, he prorogued amid tensions, a move that escalated into a involving military intervention and his subsequent exile. This pattern recurred in March 2020, when Thabane prorogued for —from 19 March to 19 June—citing the as justification, though opposition parties argued it was primarily to evade an impending no-confidence vote amid defections. Lesotho's ruled the 2020 "irrational" and unlawful on 17 April, nullifying it and underscoring its abuse for personal political survival rather than legitimate governance needs. Critics attributed these actions to a broader consolidation of power that exacerbated Lesotho's chronic , marked by elite factionalism and frequent government upheavals. Under Thabane's influence, the All Basotho Convention () experienced internal splits, with defections of key members—including two parliamentarians—blamed on his authoritarian style, which prioritized loyalty over institutional norms and contributed to the collapse of . This dynamic perpetuated cycles of crisis, as evidenced by the 2020 coalition breakdown when partners withdrew support, forcing Thabane's on 19 May after months of . Lesotho's political landscape saw at least four prime ministerial transitions between 2012 and 2020, many tied to Thabane's maneuvers, fostering perceptions of elite-driven volatility rather than stable . Supporters, including Thabane himself, defended such measures as necessary countermeasures to military threats and internal , pointing to past involvement in as the root cause of . However, from observers highlights self-preservation motives, as prorogations delayed without addressing underlying security reforms, thereby heightening risks of extralegal interventions like deployments ordered by Thabane in April 2020 amid the parliamentary standoff. These episodes reinforced critiques that Thabane's tactics undermined constitutional checks, entrenching factional rivalries over broader national stability.

Personal life

Marriages and family dynamics

Thabane's first marriage was to Matoka Judith Thabane (née Mamotapanyane Yayi Fobo), with whom he had four children before their divorce. He subsequently married Lipolelo Thabane in 1993; the couple had two biological children together, and Lipolelo adopted Thabane's four children from his first marriage. The marriage to Lipolelo ended in separation in 2016 amid an acrimonious and unresolved divorce process. In August 2017, Thabane married 'Maesaiah Thabane, his third wife, shortly after his separation from Lipolelo became public. This union integrated 'Maesaiah into the family structure, where she assumed roles involving the extended Thabane household, including interactions with children from prior marriages. Thabane's marital history reflects serial relationships rather than concurrent , though the overlap due to the incomplete from Lipolelo created de facto multiplicity during a transitional period. Family dynamics were marked by tensions, particularly following the 2017 marriage to 'Maesaiah, which divided loyalties among Thabane's children. His eldest son, Potlako, aligned with his father and , while others, including daughter Advocate 'Mabatšoeneng Hlaele from the first marriage, publicly contested family decisions and resource allocations. These disputes manifested in legal and public confrontations over inheritance and influence within the household, exacerbating rifts. In the Basotho cultural context of , where polygynous arrangements remain socially tolerated among some traditional families, Thabane's multiple partnerships aligned with customary precedents, yet still precipitated interpersonal strains typical of blended and extended kin networks. Children from earlier unions occasionally assumed advisory roles in family matters intersecting with public life, though such influences remained informal and contested.

Murder allegations and legal proceedings

The 2017 killing of Lipolelo Thabane

Lipolelo Thabane, the estranged wife of Lesotho's incoming Thabane, was assassinated on June 14, 2017, when unidentified gunmen ambushed her vehicle outside her home in , the capital. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds at close range and died at the scene, while her companion, Thato Sebolla, was wounded but survived. The attack occurred two days before Thabane's inauguration following his party's victory in the June 3 elections. The killing took place amid protracted and acrimonious divorce proceedings between Lipolelo and Thomas Thabane, initiated by him in 2015 to marry his then-partner Maesaiah Thabane. Disputes reportedly involved division of marital assets, including properties and vehicles, as well as Lipolelo's perceived political influence, which she leveraged to challenge her husband's decisions during his prior term. On the day of her death, Lipolelo had agreed in court to finalize the divorce, potentially resolving the asset claims. Lesotho police immediately classified the incident as a targeted by professional gunmen but stated the motive was unknown, launching an focused on tracing the perpetrators. No arrests were made in the immediate aftermath, and the investigation stalled publicly for months amid Lesotho's ongoing political instability. Thomas Thabane publicly condemned the killing as "senseless" in his inauguration address.

Investigations, charges, and political fallout

In February 2020, police formally charged Maesaiah Thabane, the prime minister's wife, with the murder of Lipolelo Thabane and the of her , following her arrest on February 4. Thomas Thabane was named a co-suspect by Holomo Molibeli, who cited phone records linking Thabane's mobile number to one of the assailants on the night of the killing, as well as witness statements implicating coordination in the plot. Thabane denied involvement, asserting the accusations were politically motivated by rivals seeking to destabilize his government, and he appeared in court on February 24, 2020, to argue for immunity as a sitting without facing charges at that stage. The investigations intensified scrutiny on Thabane's administration, with police alleging he paid assassins an initial 400,000 maloti (approximately $24,000) as a down payment for the hit, based on forensic evidence and confessions from co-accused individuals. Thabane's supporters countered that the probe was fabricated, pointing to interference attempts like his suspension of the police commissioner and claims of witness tampering risks highlighted by human rights groups. On November 30, 2021, Thabane faced formal murder charges alongside Maesaiah, escalating the legal pressure after his resignation. Politically, the triggered instability; on May 11, , key partners withdrew support, collapsing Thabane's government amid threats of a no-confidence vote and constitutional crises, including his disputed attempt to delay handover. Facing mounting domestic and pressure, Thabane announced his resignation on May 19, , citing age and fatigue but maintaining the allegations were a pretext for power grabs by opponents. This fallout deepened Lesotho's governance paralysis, already strained by prior military and judicial clashes under Thabane's tenure.

Dismissal of charges and ongoing implications

In July 2022, Lesotho's Director of Public Prosecutions formally withdrew murder charges against former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his wife, Maesaiah Thabane, for the 2017 killing of Lipolelo Thabane, citing insufficient evidence to proceed to trial despite prior arrests and indictments. The decision ended a protracted legal process that had included allegations of Thabane authorizing a $24,000 payment to assassins, though police investigations failed to yield prosecutable corroboration. This outcome came after Thabane's bid for constitutional immunity as a sitting was effectively mooted by his resignation in May of that year, with courts declining to grant blanket protection that would have barred charges altogether. Supporters, including elements within his All Basotho Convention party, framed the dismissal as relief from opposition-orchestrated persecution lacking substantive proof, while Lipolelo Thabane's family and groups voiced dismay over perceived for elites, underscoring evidentiary gaps in the police . By October 2025, no further prosecutions or convictions have emerged from the case, leaving the 2017 murder officially unadjudicated and amplifying public distrust in Lesotho's institutions amid repeated high-profile acquittals or stalls in politically sensitive probes. This unresolved status highlights systemic challenges, such as resource constraints in forensic investigations and potential political interference, as noted in international assessments, without yielding empirical closure on causal links to the killing.

Honours

National recognitions

Thabane did not receive any formal national honours from the Kingdom of Lesotho for his political service, despite serving as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms totaling over five years and holding prior roles such as Minister of Home Affairs and Director of the National Security Service. Lesotho's honours system features the Most Honourable Order of Lesotho and the Most Courteous Order of Lesotho, conferred by the monarch for exceptional contributions to the nation, as seen in awards presented during King Letsie III's 2019 birthday celebrations to figures like the Mokhehle family and Bishop Paul Khoarai; Thabane, present as Prime Minister, was not a recipient. This lack of official recognition aligns with the rarity of such awards amid Lesotho's history of political turbulence, where controversies—including Thabane's implication in the 2017 murder of his ex-wife—often preclude posthumous or retirement honours for elder statesmen. In Basotho cultural contexts, longevity in leadership may garner informal respect as a senior figure, but no verifiable titles or ceremonies specific to Thabane are recorded in government or monarchical annals.

Foreign honours

Thabane was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the by the , representing the . This dynastic honour, conferred in 2013 during his first tenure as , recognizes contributions to humanitarian and cultural causes aligned with the . The , established in 1829 by King Francis I of the , is administered by the of the and lacks backing. No other foreign state honours or recognitions from international bodies such as the (SADC) are verifiably documented for Thabane, particularly following political scandals that diminished his international standing after 2017.

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