Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has resigned after months of pressure over his alleged involvement in the murder of his estranged wife in 2017.

In a televised address Tuesday morning, Thabane said the time had come for him to retire "from the great theater of action, take leave from public office." He blamed his resignation on rival politicians seeking political gain.

Thabane's former wife,&nbsp;Lipolelo<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/01/21/africa/lesotho-pm-wife-killing-probe/index.html" target="_blank">,</a>&nbsp;was shot by gunmen shortly before his inauguration as the Prime Minister of the tiny African nation. The couple were separated and had been pursuing a divorce before her death.

His current wife,&nbsp;Maesaiah Thabane, has been charged in the murder and has been granted bail.

The country's police also&nbsp;sought to charge&nbsp;the Prime Minister with Thabane's murder, but his lawyers argue he should be granted immunity against prosecution.

The official resignation comes after the 80-year-old Thabane repeatedly said that he would retire.

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He will be replaced by his finance minister Moeketsi Majoro who will be inaugurated Wednesday.
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Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has resigned after months of pressure over his alleged involvement in the murder of his estranged wife in 2017. In a televised address Tuesday morning, Thabane said the time had come for him to retire "from the great theater of action, take leave from public office.

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has resigned after months of pressure over his alleged involvement in the murder of his estranged wife in 2017. In a televised address Tuesday morning, Thabane said the time had come for him to retire "from the great theater of action, take leave from public office." He blamed his resignation on rival politicians seeking political gain. Thabane's former wife, Lipolelo, was shot by gunmen shortly before his inauguration as the Prime Minister of the tiny African nation. The couple were separated and had been pursuing a divorce before her death. His current wife, Maesaiah Thabane, has been charged in the murder and has been granted bail. The country's police also sought to charge the Prime Minister with Thabane's murder, but his lawyers argue he should be granted immunity against prosecution. The official resignation comes after the 80-year-old Thabane repeatedly said that he would retire. He will be replaced by his finance minister Moeketsi Majoro who will be inaugurated Wednesday.

Lesotho's Prime Minister resigns over allegations of murdering estranged wife

The king of Lesotho, Letsie III, has assented to legislation that prevents Prime Minister Thomas Thabane from dissolving parliament and calling an election in the event of a vote of no confidence against him, the attorney general said on Thursday.

Thabane, 80, has been under pressure to resign over a murder case in which he and his wife are suspected of killing his previous wife. They both deny the charges.

"The ninth amendment (to the constitution) is now a law given that His Majesty has assented to it. It`s already effective, just awaiting printing," Attorney General Haae Phoofolo told Reuters.

The law means that in the event of a vote of no confidence against Thabane passing, he would have no choice but to leave office.

Thabane has previously said he will leave at the end of July, but his opponents say that is not soon enough.

In a statement on Thursday, Thabane reiterated that he had voluntarily decided to vacate office due to his age as he was no longer "energetic".

"I have always been consistent that it is my wish to retire from office by 31st of July, or earlier date of the 12th June 2020, if all necessary conditions of my retirement are put in place," he said.

Thabane said the amendment was a significant step leading up to his retirement.

"Government and the political party that I lead, will coordinate the process of my retirement maturely and to ensure the continued stability of Lesotho," he said.

"I hope that all the preparations will be finalised as soon as possible and ahead of the deadline that I have set for myself."

Thabane`s lawyers have previously argued that being prime minister should give him immunity from prosecution, but it is unclear whether or not that was part of negotiations for his departure from office.

Lesotho, which is surrounded by South Africa, has experienced several coups since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.

The king of Lesotho, Letsie III, has assented to legislation that prevents Prime Minister Thomas Thabane from dissolving parliament and calling an election in the event of a vote of no confidence against him, the attorney general said on Thursday.

The king of Lesotho, Letsie III, has assented to legislation that prevents Prime Minister Thomas Thabane from dissolving parliament and calling an election in the event of a vote of no confidence against him, the attorney general said on Thursday. Thabane, 80, has been under pressure to resign over a murder case in which he and his wife are suspected of killing his previous wife. They both deny the charges. "The ninth amendment (to the constitution) is now a law given that His Majesty has assented to it. It`s already effective, just awaiting printing," Attorney General Haae Phoofolo told Reuters. The law means that in the event of a vote of no confidence against Thabane passing, he would have no choice but to leave office. Thabane has previously said he will leave at the end of July, but his opponents say that is not soon enough. In a statement on Thursday, Thabane reiterated that he had voluntarily decided to vacate office due to his age as he was no longer "energetic". "I have always been consistent that it is my wish to retire from office by 31st of July, or earlier date of the 12th June 2020, if all necessary conditions of my retirement are put in place," he said. Thabane said the amendment was a significant step leading up to his retirement. "Government and the political party that I lead, will coordinate the process of my retirement maturely and to ensure the continued stability of Lesotho," he said. "I hope that all the preparations will be finalised as soon as possible and ahead of the deadline that I have set for myself." Thabane`s lawyers have previously argued that being prime minister should give him immunity from prosecution, but it is unclear whether or not that was part of negotiations for his departure from office. Lesotho, which is surrounded by South Africa, has experienced several coups since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.

Lesotho's king assents to bill limiting Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's powers

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has been charged with the murder of his ex-wife. He would be the first African leader who has been charged with the first domestic murder while in office.

Lesotho PM charged with murder of ex-wife

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Lesotho's Prime Minister resigns over allegations of murdering estranged wife

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