Intra- and- Inter Party Democracy in Lesotho

The overarching aim of the assessment on Intra-and-Inter-Party Democracy in Lesotho was to provide empirical evidence on the functioning of political parties and the impact of coalitions on socio-economic development and social cohesion in Lesotho. Pursuant to the objective of the assessment, a qualitative analysis method was adopted for the desk research and in-depth interviews that were conducted with purposively selected respondents in state and non-state sectors including state institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, media, security agencies and

development partners. The findings will be used to inform various interventions of the United Nations (UN) and its agencies in Lesotho primarily geared towards strengthening of political parties and other governance institutions. These findings can be summed up as follows:

1. There is consensus among interlocutors that the political party coalitions have been a source of Lesotho’s political instability. The perverse incentives in the formation of political parties has led to a multiplicity of parties further crowding the field and exacerbating conflict, with poverty fuelling the situation as young Basotho see politics as the only viable option for a livelihood.

2. Coalition formations appear to have not been based on ideology and alignment around core agenda but on political interest and convenience and the impulsive urge to settle political scores. Resultantly, the coalition dispensation has eroded intraparty democracy and aggravated inter-party tensions due to resentment, deep-seated fear, suspicion, and serious distrust amongst politicians. This has had a ripple effect on communities at the local level because public service delivery such as the provision of electricity, water and roads infrastructure remain partisan and fuelled the cycle of stagnation. Lack of service delivery and partisan approach wherever support is provided to communities has led to increased tensions among communities. This has put social cohesion under a serious strain amidst the persistent drought and the  pandemic of COVID-19.