Justin Lekhanya

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General Justin Metsing Lekhanya (born April 7, 1938 in Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho) was the Prime Minister, defense minister and chairman of the military council of Lesotho from January 24, 1986 until May 2, 1991. Lekhanya was commander of the army when he overthrew Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan in a military coup. Lekhanya immediately sought to establish better relations with South Africa which were strained due to Jonathan's support of the African National Congress. Lekhanya also gave more power to Lesotho's king at first, but later came into dispute with him, and he deposed the king in another military coup in 1990. The king was later restored, and Lekhanya himself was overthrown in a 1991 military coup. Lekhanya then became leader of the Basotho National Party, Lesotho's main opposition party, which only has a few seats in Parliament and, according to Lekhanya, has been the victim of fraud in the last several elections in Lesotho.