# About 60 ANC members are expelled to Zambia (25 January 1986)

URL: https://allhistories.com/lesotho/timeline/1986-about-60-anc-members-are-expelled-to-zambia
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Themes: main-event

The University of Central Arkansas chronology records that on 25 January 1986, five days after the coup, about 60 members of the African National Congress were expelled from Lesotho to Zambia at South Africa's insistence. South Africa lifted its border blockade the same day. The two events were closely linked in the sources. Wikipedia's biography of Justin Lekhanya states that he moved quickly to improve relations with South Africa, which had been strained by his predecessor's support of the African National Congress. The Wikipedia article on the Lesotho Defence Force also notes that new security agreements with South Africa followed the 1986 coup. The expulsion ended the use of Lesotho as a base for exiles from South Africa, though earlier raids had already shown the risk. Relations improved, but diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level were not established until 21 May 1992. Zambia was the destination named in the chronology. At this point in the timeline (1986), Moshoeshoe II (5 Dec 1970 – 10 Mar 1990) was King of Lesotho, a constitutional head of state; Chairman of the Military Council (head of government) Justin Metsing Lekhanya (24 Jan 1986 – 2 May 1991) led the government.

## Why it matters
The expulsion showed that the new rulers would meet Pretoria's demands, trading the refuge given to exiles for the end of the blockade.

Ruler at the Time: [Moshoeshoe II (second reign)](https://allhistories.com/lesotho/rulers/moshoeshoe-ii-second-reign-1970)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Justin Lekhanya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Lekhanya)
- [uca.edu — lesotho 1966 present](https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/sub-saharan-africa-region/lesotho-1966-present)
- [Wikipedia — Lesotho Defence Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesotho_Defence_Force)