Moshoeshoe II (1938 - January 15, 1996) was the paramount chief of Lesotho, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso from 1960 until it gained full independence from Britain in 1966. He was then king of Lesotho from 1966 until 1970, from 1970 until 1990 and from 1995 until his death. His political power was always limited. Early in his reign Leabua Jonathan became prime minister of Lesotho and gained control of the government. Jonathan deposed Moshoshoe in 1970 in order to reestablish his control in the country after his party nearly lost the election. A few months later, when he gained control, Jonathan allowed Moshoshue 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. Moshoshoe was able to become king again in 1995. He was killed in a car accident on a mountain road, 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, Ma Mohato was regent.
MoshoeshoeII (May 2, 1938 - January 15, 1996) was the paramount chief of Lesotho, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso from 1960 until it gained full independence from Britain in 1966.
Moshoeshoe went into temporary exile in the Netherlands.
During Moshoeshoe's reign (1823-1870), a series of wars with South Africa (1856-68) resulted in the loss of extensive Basotho land, now known as the "Lost Territory." In order to protect his people, Moshoeshoe appealed to Queen Victoria for assistance, and in 1868 the land that is present-day Lesotho was placed under British protection.
In February 1990, King MoshoeshoeII[?] was stripped of his executive and legislative powers and exiled by Lekhanya, and the Council of Ministers was purged.
Because MoshoeshoeII initially refused to return to Lesotho under the new rules of the government in which the King was endowed only with ceremonial powers, Moshoeshoe's son was installed as King Letsie III.
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