South African intervention in Lesotho

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The South African Defense Force Invasion of Lesotho, codenamed Operation Boleas, was a military invasion launched by Southern African Development Community (SADC), and led by South Africa into Lesotho to quell a suspected coup.

In March 1998, parliamentary elections in Lesotho resulted in an overwhelming majority for the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy Party, which won 79 out of 80 seats. However allegations of vote fraud soon surfaced, and after a failed lawsuit by the opposition parties, widespread rioting broke out.

Under President Nelson Mandela, the ANC administration in South Africa (which completely landlocks Lesotho) announced it would hold a formal inquiry to determine the allegations of corruption. Controversially, the report only alleged minor irregularities.

On September 22, 1998 Mandela allowed for a deployment of some 700 South African troops to Lesotho to quell the rioting and maintain order. Botswana Defence Force soldiers were also deployed. The operation was described as a "intervention to restore democracy and the rule of law."

Widespread arson, violence and looting occurred despite the presence of SADC soldiers. Troops were pulled out in May 1999 after 7 months of occupation. The capital city of Maseru was heavily damaged, requiring a period of several years for rebuilding.