Basuto Monarch Defies P.M.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31109, 12 July 1966, Page 17

Basuto Monarch Defies P.M.

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MASERA (Basutoland), July 11. Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe II of Basutoland openly defied the Prime Minister, Chief Leabua Jonathan, on Sunday and held a giant political rally in Maseru. Chief Jonathan has repeatedly called on the Paramount Chief to stop meddling in politics or abdicate. Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe refuses. More than 40,000 Basutos loyal to the tribal Monarch roared approval at the rally when Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe told them: “The British Government and Prime Minister Jonathan are pulling the Basuto people around like unwilling dogs on a chain.” He accused Chief Jonathan of using the police to intimidate the political opposition. Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe was escorted to the rally by 400 gaily-blanketed Basuto horsemen carrying tribal sticks. Roadblocks were thrown up round the dusty capital of Maeru and people searched for arms. Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe claimed the London independence agreement—which he refused to sign—was against the will of the Basuto people. The agreement provides for him to become a constitutional monarch and denies him the executive powers he demands. Basutoland is to become the independent black-ruled state of Lesotho on October 4. Continual shouts of en-

couragement and support for Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe came at the rally from the colourfully-blanketed Basutos. many of whom had travelled for days by horse, truck and bicycle over rugged mountainous country to attend. After the three-hour rally, groups of Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe supporters paraded through the town. Riot police threw a hasty cordon around Chief Jonathan’s residence, but there were no incidents.