Tom Thabane

Tom Thabane, born on May twenty-eight, nineteen thirty-nine, is a prominent Mosotho politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Lesotho during two non-consecutive terms from two thousand twelve to two thousand fifteen and again from two thousand seventeen to two thousand twenty. He is the founder of the All Basotho Convention (ABC), a political party he established in two thousand six and led until two thousand twenty-two.

Before founding the ABC, Thabane was a member of the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and served in the government of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili from nineteen ninety-eight to two thousand six. His departure from the LCD marked a significant turning point in his political career, leading him to create a new party that would eventually challenge the political landscape in Lesotho.

After spending over five years in opposition, Thabane successfully built a coalition of twelve parties following the two thousand twelve parliamentary election, which resulted in his appointment as Prime Minister. However, in the two thousand fifteen election, the ABC was ousted from power by a coalition led by Mosisili, despite winning the most constituencies. This political turmoil forced Thabane to flee to South Africa, citing threats to his life.

Thabane returned to Lesotho on February twelfth, two thousand seventeen, to participate in a parliamentary vote of no confidence that ultimately unseated Mosisili. He then led the ABC to victory in the subsequent parliamentary election, reclaiming his position as Prime Minister. However, his tenure faced significant challenges, including allegations related to his ex-spouse's murder, which culminated in his announcement to resign on May eighteenth, two thousand twenty.