Lesotho en Suid‐Afrika‐ ‘n studie in waagpolitiek

Abstract

Both internal and external environmental factors influencing foreign policy making in Lesotho impose severe restrictions on its ability to act purposefully in the international sphere. Being landlocked, underdeveloped and small, Lesotho is deeply dependent on South Africa for its mere existence. However, every tendency in the country's recent foreign policy points at the urgent desire to find ways and means that will enable it to loosen this dependence. Consequently, the outstanding feature of Lesotho's articulated foreign policy is a manoeuvring between the two opposing poles in its environment constituted by South Africa and the Organization of African Unity.

The three chronological phases of Lesotho's policy towards South Africa since the former's independence clearly show up this dichotomy. The amicable relationship with South Africa immediately after independence rapidly made way for a policy of brinkmanship in order to accommodate the anti‐South African demands of the OAU more fully. The present strained relationship between South Africa and Lesotho is a direct result of this policy.