Lesotho military seize police HQ, coup is coming?!

[hellheaven1987]

Blah, I bet half of TWC members don't even know where this country is.

Soldiers in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho have seized the police headquarters in an apparent coup attempt, officials say.

Sports Minister Thesele Maseribane told AFP news agency that troops had also surrounded State House, a key government building.

There are reports of gunfire in the capital, Maseru. Radio signals and phone communications have been jammed.

Geographically, Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa on all sides.

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has headed a unity government since elections in May 2012.

But Mr Thabane suspended the country's parliament in June, amid feuding in the coalition government.

Since independence from Britain in 1966, Lesotho has undergone several military coups.

Source

Sounds like a rogue PM got a good coup, may be sponsored by certain regional big brother with backing of some shadow superpowers; I don't think it would turn a long, bloody mess but then, it is Africa so who knows.

[Lord of Nihilism]

Another day on the African continent. There's only one military that can end this coup and that's the French military, since they are experts in African Wars. Why not as well? France will no doubt gain some resources or territory by helping this country, and France will be closer to restoring its former glory and hopefully reestablish their colonial empire, but that most likely won't happen.

If any country is going to get involved with this coup and/or conflict, it has to be France or Canada.

[Tiberios]

Another day on the African continent. There's only one military that can end this coup and that's the French military, since they are experts in African Wars. Why not as well? France will no doubt gain some resources or territory by helping this country, and France will be closer to restoring its former glory and hopefully reestablish their colonial empire, but that most likely won't happen.

If any country is going to get involved with this coup and/or conflict, it has to be France or Canada.

Yes the French are experts in colonial warfare

In all seriouness though, France intervening in an area they have never been the colonial masters of, an area completely surrounded by South Africa, is an idiotic notion.

[Lord of Nihilism]

Yes the French are experts in colonial warfare

In all seriouness though, France intervening in an area they have never been the colonial masters of, an area completely surrounded by South Africa, is an idiotic notion.

Yes, they are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_colonial_empire

Like I said, it was a great tragedy and Western civilisation nearly collapsed when the French Colonial Empire ended as it did but now is a good time to revive it and restore France's former glory. Sure, we can insult the French for not fighting hard enough during the Indochina-War, but we would be ignoring all of the African conflicts they've won over the past few centuries.

France has the most experience in Africa in both politics and military, so it would only be right and fair to have the French settle this. They wouldn't even need to send French Army soldiers either, they can just send in the Foreign Legion so they don't have to worry about French nationals getting KIA. It's not like South Africa can do anything to stop France, since they'll get decimated if they try to stop France using military force.

[conon394]

Yes, they are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_colonial_empire

Like I said, it was a great tragedy and Western civilisation nearly collapsed when the French Colonial Empire ended as it did but now is a good time to revive it and restore France's former glory. Sure, we can insult the French for not fighting hard enough during the Indochina-War, but we would be ignoring all of the African conflicts they've won over the past few centuries.

France has the most experience in Africa in both politics and military, so it would only be right and fair to have the French settle this. They wouldn't even need to send French Army soldiers either, they can just send in the Foreign Legion so they don't have to worry about French nationals getting KIA. It's not like South Africa can do anything to stop France, since they'll get decimated if they try to stop France using military force.

Yep impressive how Algeria is still part of France...

That Mali thing looks no better than the US in Iraq sweep in sure but fix any problems nope. How about that CAR?

I still can't decide over you fawn more over Canada or France - and still no comment on Canada and how embarrassed itself at RIMPAC

[Napoleonic Bonapartism]

South Africa is under no obligation to intervene. We dont feel the need to force freedom on anyone, unlike some Western Powers do. If things get violent then we most probably will send in the army.

I suppose thats a fair principle to go by, but even if it was a bloodless coup there would likley be severe repression in the nation would there not? And like most Coups its unlikley to go off without a hitch.

[Pushupbrah]

Another day on the African continent. There's only one military that can end this coup and that's the French military, since they are experts in African Wars. Why not as well? France will no doubt gain some resources or territory by helping this country, and France will be closer to restoring its former glory and hopefully reestablish their colonial empire, but that most likely won't happen.

If any country is going to get involved with this coup and/or conflict, it has to be France or Canada.

Not sure if serious....

South Africa is probably the only nation that should get involved, if any at all....

[General Maximus]

Eh, how many coups have been there in Lesotho already? As a landlocked, poverty-ridden country it is...I wonder if that coup would affect anything at all outside the borders AKA South Africa. If there has to be some intervention at all, all that should done is that South African army moves in, restores peace, and leaves.

If SA were to annex the country, it would be a drain on their economy and create more problems than the ones already present. It would be same as what happened in India after WW2, instead of providing more profit to the Empire like it previously did, India actually became a drain on the already seriously damaged British economy and budget, for them to just maintain and hold onto it in the face of angry people and massive rebel movements all over the place.

[alhoon]

If there has to be some intervention at all, all that should done is that South African army moves in, restores peace, and leaves.

Judging from the map and the size of the two countries?
Why move in the army to intervene? Threaten to put a big embargo, surround the place, start blocking luxuries from getting in so that the "elite" would start sweating and be done with it, with less cost in blood and money.

[Caelifer_1991]

I feel like Lesotho should simply be a part of South Africa tbh, I mean during Apartheid they'd have a reason to exist but now I don't see the point, they're basically a county. The same goes for Swaziland too imo.

[AqD]

I feel like Lesotho should simply be a part of South Africa tbh, I mean during Apartheid they'd have a reason to exist but now I don't see the point, they're basically a county. The same goes for Swaziland too imo.

1/3 of them have AIDS! If I'm a South African I'd support closing all roads and building a physical wall 100 meters tall surrounding that entire place.

[Caelifer_1991]

1/3 of them have AIDS! If I'm a South African I'd support closing all roads and building a physical wall 100 meters tall surrounding that entire place.

Fair point, but it should also be considered that the infection rates in many parts of South Africa are little better, take Kwa-Zulu Natal for instance, at 25.8%, or Mpumalanga at 23.1%. Indeed, AIDS is a problem throughout most of Africa, and Southern Africa as a whole has the highest rates of all. Besides, in the long term, strategies to combat AIDS are best done on a regional level so as to prevent recontamination across borders, closing borders with Lesotho won't solve the problem, merely delay the solution.

[Condottiere 40K]

Not really interesting enough, at this point.

[Napoleonic Bonapartism]

If stuff gets serious surely South Africa has some form of obligation to step in and restore the old order. I know there'll be soverignty issues etc. but it only seems right. To be fair considering the fact its a landlocked country I'm suprised anyone was idiotic enough to decide to launch a coup. What are they trying to hold the whole nation hostage? It makes no sense. S.A. could just seige them out, not nice when 40% lives below the international poverty line but what you gonna do? Is S.A. going to allow a dictatorship within its own borders effectivley?

[Caelifer_1991]

Quite a large proportion of the population of Lesotho is actually in favour of annexation into South Africa, if hits the fan I wouldn't be surprised if South Africa was simply to intervene and let them hold a referendum as to their future if the coup results in an unpopular government, which indeed it probably would since the Monarch there is popular enough for them to remain in power within a constitutional framework.

[Napoleonic Bonapartism]

Quite a large proportion of the population of Lesotho is actually in favour of annexation into South Africa, if hits the fan I wouldn't be surprised if South Africa was simply to intervene and let them hold a referendum as to their future if the coup results in an unpopular government, which indeed it probably would since the Monarch there is popular enough for them to remain in power within a constitutional framework.

Some sort of Federalised system which would respect the Nation status of the Sotho speaking peoples would be ideal, but it seems to me that it would benefit the Lesothonians (is that the right term?) more than the South Africans, 40% in Lesotho lives below the international poverty line. I think South Africa has enough of its own problems to go into the buisness of annexation and administration of such a country, they'd be oblidged to set up aid projects etc. South Africa is one of the richest nations on Africa I grant, but it still has massive poverty/crime of their own to deal with I think.

[Caelifer_1991]

Some sort of Federalised system which would respect the Nation status of the Sotho speaking peoples would be ideal, but it seems to me that it would benefit the Lesothonians (is that the right term?) more than the South Africans, 40% in Lesotho lives below the international poverty line. I think South Africa has enough of its own problems to go into the buisness of annexation and administration of such a country, they'd be oblidged to set up aid projects etc. South Africa is one of the richest nations on Africa I grant, but it still has massive poverty/crime of their own to deal with I think.

I mirror Condottierre's post, the area is central to South African industry. While it may incur some initial fiscal strain to subsidise growth in the region, further economic integration, as well as political and administrative integration would likely pay off fairly rapidly. A federalised framework as you suggested would be beneficial for all sides concerned.

[Papay]

Does Lesotho has oil? If not, who cares

[Condottiere 40K]

Lesotho has water, that the industries and cities of South Africa needs.

I think they pay seven hundred million plus in royalties.

[Sogdog]

Another day on the African continent. There's only one military that can end this coup and that's the French military, since they are experts in African Wars. Why not as well? France will no doubt gain some resources or territory by helping this country, and France will be closer to restoring its former glory and hopefully reestablish their colonial empire, but that most likely won't happen.

If any country is going to get involved with this coup and/or conflict, it has to be France or Canada.

neither! Southern Africa was colonised by british. Anyway, we dont want any european countries meddling in Africa thank you very much. South Africa has said that they will try diplomacy to end crisis.

I feel like Lesotho should simply be a part of South Africa tbh, I mean during Apartheid they'd have a reason to exist but now I don't see the point, they're basically a county. The same goes for Swaziland too imo.

The Basotho are proud of their sovereignty, they dont want to be part of South Africa. Same goes for the Swazi.

Yes the French are experts in colonial warfare

In all seriouness though, France intervening in an area they have never been the colonial masters of, an area completely surrounded by South Africa, is an idiotic notion.

I agree

If stuff gets serious surely South Africa has some form of obligation to step in and restore the old order. I know there'll be soverignty issues etc. but it only seems right. To be fair considering the fact its a landlocked country I'm suprised anyone was idiotic enough to decide to launch a coup. What are they trying to hold the whole nation hostage? It makes no sense. S.A. could just seige them out, not nice when 40% lives below the international poverty line but what you gonna do? Is S.A. going to allow a dictatorship within its own borders effectivley?

South Africa is under no obligation to intervene. We dont feel the need to force freedom on anyone, unlike some Western Powers do. If things get violent then we most probably will send in the army.

Quite a large proportion of the population of Lesotho is actually in favour of annexation into South Africa

reference please

Lesotho has water, that the industries and cities of South Africa needs.

just Gauteng, not the whole country