Military expenditures: $32.3 million (2004) 2.3% (2004) of GDP.
The Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defence Force’s (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs. In 2001, under an agreement with India, an Indian Army Training Team (IATT) started training the LDF. By 2011, it is widely perceived that the LDF is well on its way to becoming a professional and apolitical force. Indeed, there has been no instance since the arrival of the IATT when the LDF has interfered with the political process. It also won approbation when, on 22 April 2009, its soldiers beat back a mercenary attack on the Prime Minister’s residence.
The Security Advisers from India have been Brigadiers Jasbir Singh, Budhwar, Ranvir Yadav, Neeraj Bali and AK Das. Currently Brigadier Dhanoa is holding that charge.
The Force currently has a strength of approximately 3100. It has a fair representation of female soldiers. All commissioned officers have to first serve in the ranks for at least three years.
It is led by a three-star General, Lt Gen Tlali Kamoli, 46.
JOHANNESBURG – Lesotho’s former military commander has taken control of the country’s Elite Special Forces Unit apparently in preparation for a possible stand-off.
The unit includes around 40 highly-trained troops and the military’s intelligence division.
Lieutenant general Tlali Kamoli has refused to step down as the commander of the Lesotho defence force after he was fired for alleged corruption involving millions of rand.
Kamoli has been accused of destabilising the mountain kingdom last week after he apparently plotted a coup.
He has apparently seized an unknown number of weapons from state armouries.
Lesotho police say during the attacks on their bases the military searched for case files against Kamoli and other soldiers relating to corruption and a series of politically-motivated bomb attacks.
The military has denied this, saying it raided police offices to seize weapons it believed would have been given to Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s enemies.
Thabane returned home last week under police guard following Southern African Development Community’s intervention.
But despite this move, more than 150 government officials remain in hiding, fearing for their lives.
It’s still unclear when the South African police guarding Thabane’s home will return home.