 | |
| Date | 20 January 1986 |
|---|---|
| Location |  Maseru |
| Type | Military coup |
| Motive | Regime change |
| Organised by | Justin Lekhanya |
| Participants | Lesotho Defence Force (faction) |
| Outcome | Coup succeeds
|
The1986 Lesotho coup d'état was amilitarycoup that took place inLesotho on 20 January 1986, led by GeneralJustin Lekhanya.[1][2][3] It led to the deposition of Prime MinisterLeabua Jonathan, who held the office since 1965 and assumed dictatorial powers in the1970 coup d'état, after thegeneral election was annulled.
General Lekhanya announced the creation of the Military Council, which would exercise all executive and legislative powers in the name of KingMoshoeshoe II. Eventually, a power struggle developed between Lekhanya and the King, with the latter being forced into exile in theUnited Kingdom in February 1990,[4] and officially dethroned in November of that year.[5] Lekhanya himself was deposed in the1991 coup d'état, led by ColonelElias Phisoana Ramaema.[6]
