Tom Thabane

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Tom Motsoahae Thabane (born 1939) is a political figure in Lesotho. He served as the foreign minister of Lesotho twice, from 1990 to 1991 and from June 12, 1998 until June 2002. He then served as the home affairs minister of Lesotho from June 2002 until November 19, 2004 when a cabinet reshuffle took place. Subsequently he was communications minister until 2006.

Thabane resigned from the Lesotho Congress for Democracy-led government of Pakalitha Mosisili on October 9, 2006. He formed a new party by the name All Basotho Convention (ABC).^[1] Thabane claims that his will is to unite all Basotho, not only those from the Congress party or National Party. Thabane's party attracted 17 Lesotho Congress for Democracy MPs who crossed the floor with him on October 13.^[1] Thabane's party became the third largest party in Parliament. Had Thabane been able to form a coalition with the opposition, they would have been in a position to declare a vote of no confidence in Pakalitha Mosisili's government. The ruling party was left with 61 of the 120 parliamentary seats; with this narrow majority, in late November parliament was dissolved and early elections were called for February 2007.^[2] In the elections, the ABC took 17 out of 80 constituency seats, while the LCD took 61. Thabane said that the vote was free, but not fair.^[3]

Some believed that the formation of the ABC was the beginning of a new political light that could lead Lesotho to economic development. This became apparent in the news broad cast from a South African Radio Station known as Lesedi. It was believed by his supporters that if Thabane became prime minister, he would try to draw new policies that would bring a broader understanding of approach to changing Lesotho's declining hope in the global market.^{[citation needed]}

Thabane's party has a web presence at http://www.abc.org.ls it is the only party in Lesotho to have a presence on the web.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} "New Lesotho political party formed", AFP (IOL), October 13, 2006.
2. ^ Bethuel Thai, "Lesotho will go to the polls in February 2007", Reuters, December 1, 2006.
3. ^ "Win was not fair - opposition", AFP (IOL), February 21, 2007.