Reign
Moshoeshoe's political power was always limited, and his reign was interrupted twice. Early in his reign, Leabua Jonathan became Prime Minister of Lesotho and gained control of the government. Jonathan deposed Moshoeshoe in 1970 in order to reestablish his control in the country after his party lost the election. Moshoeshoe went into temporary exile in the Netherlands. A few months later, when he gained control, Jonathan allowed Moshoeshoe to reassume the title of king. Jonathan was deposed in 1986 and the king gained some power, but he was deposed in 1990, while his son Letsie III was forced to take his place as king. Moshoeshoe went to exile in the United Kingdom. Moshoeshoe was able to become king again in 1995. The following year he was killed in a car accident, and Letsie became king again a month later. During the political turmoil of 1970 and 1990, and for a month after his death in 1996, his wife and Letsie's mother, Mamohato, acted as regent.
- Summary of reign
- 1960-1966: Paramount Chief Constantine Bereng Seeiso of Basutoland
- 1966: crowned as King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho
- 1970: exiled from Lesotho
- February 1990: stripped of constitutional powers
- November 1990: deposed, and his son Letsie III becomes king
- 1990-1992: in exile in the UK
- January 1995: reinstated as King
- January 1996: died, succeeded by Letsie III
Read more about this topic: Moshoeshoe II Of Lesotho
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