The Decline of Kings

Kings do not thrive in black Africa.

Buganda's King "Freddy" Mutesa, 42, lost his palace--and nearly his life--last May. Burundi booted out its boy ruler, Ntare V, last month. Last week monarchic malaise infected Africa's newest nation, three-month-old Lesotho (formerly Basutoland), a country of 900,000 that is completely surrounded by South Africa.

The crisis was brought to a head by Oxford-educated Constantine Bereng Seeiso Moshoeshoe II, 28, who was left little more than a figurehead monarch by his country's new constitution. As the namesake and great-grandson of the founder of Basutoland, Moshoeshoe (pronounced Mo-shway-shway) reckoned that he rated a better break.

Dressed in native blanket and conical straw hat, he galloped about his Maryland-size realm on a shaggy pony, enlisting citizens' support in his bid for more control of Lesotho's domestic and foreign policies. Not surprisingly, such politicking alarmed Premier Chief Leabua Jonathan, who saw in the royal actions a plot to overthrow the new constitutional government.

Last week came the showdown.

When the King summoned his supporters to a rally at the burial grounds of his royal ancestors near the capital city of Maseru, the Premier set up police roadblocks to turn back the crowds.

Enraged, bands of hard-riding king's men charged the roadblocks. The police fired at the riders, then into the crowd.

Seven of the King's supporters were killed, scores were wounded, and 170 were hustled off to jail.

Fearful that the King might use the incident to incite more trouble, Chief Jonathan placed the youthful monarch under heavily guarded "protective custody." As reports reached the capital of sporadic fighting between police and the King's men in the rugged outback, Chief Jonathan expelled eight political figures, including several of the King's closest advisors. Some observers felt that Chief Jonathan was using the dust-up as an excuse to rid the country of what both he and South African authorities viewed as dangerous elements. As for the young King, Chief Jonathan seems inclined to forgive him once things quiet down--provided he immediately mends his ways. Otherwise, hinted some government leaders, they will depose Moshoeshoe and choose a new King from among the tribal chieftains.

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