Zimbabwe African People's Union

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The Zimbabwe African People's Union was a political party in Zimbabwe.

ZAPU was founded by Joshua Nkomo, at the request of Joseph Msika, currently a Vice-President of Zimbabwe. It was banned in 1962 by the Rhodesian colonial government, and was later engaged in a guerrilla war against it. The armed wing of ZAPU, known as Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), was the only military establishment or movement which has hit an aeroplane by land mine in the world. Secondly after the Rhodesia military started bombing civilian targets in Mozambique and Zambia during the struggle for independence. ZIPRA also started shooting down civilian planes, which were at that point used to ferry military man power and equipment to the Rhodesian front. This forced the then Rhodesian administration to negotiate with PF to resolve the issue of freedom in Zimbabwe. By then, the white population could not move freely by road and air.

In general, ZAPU was of pro-Soviet orientation, whereas ZANU had a pro-Chinese orientation. This ZAPU affiliation with the Soviet Union was an axis of convenience and should not be misconstrued to suggest that the former had a Marxist/Leninist philosophy. ZAPU was, for its entire history, a nationalist political organisation dedicated to pragmatic solutions to Zimbabwe's political, economic, and social problems.

In 1980, it contested the first free elections in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe as 'Patriotic Front', but lost to its rival the ZANU. It merged into ZANU-PF in 1987.

The first meeting between the two parties began on the 2 October 1985 at Parliament Buildings, Harare and concluded on the 22 December 1987 at the same venue.

[edit] Unity Accord

The Unity Accord signed at that meeting stated:

1. That ZANU PF and PF ZAPU have irrevocably committed themselves to unite under one political party.
2. That the unity of the two political parties; shall be achieved under the name Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) in short ZANU PF.
3. That Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe shall be the First Secretary and President of ZANU PF.
4. That ZANU PF shall have two Second Secretaries and Vice Presidents who shall be appointed by the First Secretary and President of the Party.
5. That ZANU PF shall seek to establish a socialist society in Zimbabwe on the guidance of Marxist-Leninist principles.
6. That ZANU PF shall seek to establish a One Party State in Zimbabwe.
7. That the leadership of ZANU PF shall abide by the Leadership Code.
8. That the existing structures of ZANU PF and PF ZAPU shall be merged in accordance with the letter and spirit of this Agreement.
9. That both parties shall, in the interim, take immediate vigorous steps to eliminate and end the insecurity and violence prevalent in Matabeleland.
10. That ZANU PF and PF ZAPU shall convene their respective Congress to give effect to this Agreement within the shortest possible time.
11. That, in the interim, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe is vested with full powers to prepare for the implementation of this Agreement and to act in the name and authority of ZANU PF.