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The Lesotho Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, is head of government and has executive authority. The King serves a largely ceremonial function; he no longer possesses any executive authority and is proscribed from actively participating in political initiatives.
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) controls a majority in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament), with the Basotho National Party (BNP), Lesotho Peoples Congress, and the National Independent Party among the 9 opposition parties represented. The upper house of parliament, called the Senate, is composed of 22 principal chiefs whose membership is hereditary, and 11 appointees of the King, acting on the advice of the prime minister. The constitution provides for an independent judicial system. The judiciary is made up of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, Magistrate's Courts, and traditional courts that exist predominately in rural areas. All but one of the Justices on the Court of Appeal are South African jurists. There is no trial by jury; rather, judges make rulings alone, or, in the case of criminal trials, with two other judges as observers. The constitution also protects basic civil liberties, including freedom of speech, association, and the press; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of religion.
For administrative purposes, Lesotho is divided into 10 districts, each headed by a district secretary.
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King/Queen: Letsie III
Prime Minister: Mosisili, Bethuel Pakalitha
Dep. Prime Minister : Lehohla, Archibald Lesao
Cabinet Members:
: Phororo, Rakoro - Min. of Agriculture & Food Security
: Khaketla, Mamphone - Min. of Communication, Science, & Technology
: Mosisili, Pakalitha - Min. of Defense & National Security
: Lehohla, Lesao - Min. of Education
: Machakela, Clement - Min. of Employment & Labor
: Thahane, Timothy - Min. of Finance & Development Planning
: Tsekoa, Mohlabi Kenneth - Min. of Foreign Affairs
: Mokose, Ralechate - Min. of Forestry & Land Reclamation
: Lepono, Mathabiso - Min. of Gender, Youth, Sports, & Recreation
: Phooko, Motloheloa - Min. of Health & Social Welfare
: Thabane, Motsoahae Thomas - Min. of Home Affairs & Public Safety
: Masemene, Refiloe M. - Min. of Justice, Human Rights & Rehabilitation, Law, & Constitutional Affairs
: Sekatle, Ponts'o Suzan 'Matumelo - Min. of Local Government
: Moleleki, Monyane - Min. of Natural Resources
: Moerane, Mofelehetsi Salomone - Min. of Public Works & Transport
: Ntsinyi, Lebohang - Min. of Tourism, Environment, & Culture
: Malie, Mpho - Min. of Trade & Industry, Cooperatives, & Marketing
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