Alliance of Democrats (Lesotho)

Alliance of Democrats

Lekhotla la Kopano ea Sechaba
Alliance of Democrats Lekhotla la Kopano ea Sechaba
Abbreviation	AD
Leader	Monyane Moleleki
Founders	Kabelo Gilbert Mafura; Monyane Moleleki
Founded	16 December 2016
Split from	Democratic Congress
Ideology	Social democracy[better source needed]
Political position	Centre-left
Colours	Red; Black
Slogan	Pele-Feela
National Assembly	5 / 120
Website
	ad.org.ls
	Politics of Lesotho; Political parties; Elections;

The Alliance of Democrats (AD; Sotho: Lekhotla la Kopano ea Sechaba) is a political party in Lesotho.

History

The party was established in December 2016 by Kabelo Gilbert Mafura and Monyane Moleleki after both were suspended by the Democratic Congress party following a failed leadership challenge against party leader and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.^[2] As well as Moleleki, several other MPs including Tjoetsane Seoka, Rethabile Marumo, Maboiketlo Maliehe, Refiloe Litjobo, Jobo Sekautu, Mokhele Moletsane, Tieho 'Mamasiane, Mokoto Hloaele, Ndiwuhleli Ndlopo se and Kotiti Liholo defected from the Democratic Congress.^[2] The party supported a motion of no confidence in Mosisili in March 2017, which led to early elections in June.^[3] The AD received 7.3% of the vote, winning nine seats and becoming the fourth largest party in parliament. The party subsequently joined a coalition government led by Tom Thabane of the All Basotho Convention.^[3] Following the 2022 election the AD reached an agreement with the newly formed Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) and with the Movement for Economic Change to form a government led by RFP's leader Sam Matekane.^[4]

Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Status
2017	42,686	7.34	9 / 120	New	Opposition
2022	20,798	4.04	5 / 120	4	Coalition

^ Lesotho Africa Elects
^ ^a ^b Moleleki unveils new party The Post, 16 December 2016
^ ^a ^b Mosisili was selfish: Moleleki Lesotho Times, 9 June 2017
^ "Lesotho tycoon forges coalition after poll breakthrough". France 24. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-13.