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How did Lesotho become independent?

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Southern Africa Sand dunes and vegetation at Sossusvlei in the Namib desert, Namibia.

Lesotho, formerly known as Basutoland, gained independence from Britain on October 4, 1966, and was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho.12

The path to independence was driven by the rise of nationalist political parties following World War II, which shifted the focus away from colonial administrative reforms. Key political organizations included the Basotho Congress Party, the Basotho National Party, and the Marema-Tlou Freedom Party.12

Significant milestones in this transition included:
* 1955: The Basutoland Council gained the right to control the territory's internal affairs.12
* 1965: The region became self-governing, and general elections for a new legislative assembly were held, which were dominated by the Basotho National Party.12
* 1966: Upon independence, the nation was established as a kingdom with Moshoeshoe II as king and Chief Leabua Jonathan as prime minister.132

Executive power was subsequently transferred to the prime minister in 1967.12