Zimbabwe was ruled originally by the British south African company (BSACO) under Cecil Rhodes from south in 1890. In 1888, Rhodes’ partner, Charles Rudd, obtained a concession from king Lobengulla of Matebele land. The agreement granted Rudd monopoly over all minerals, between Limpopo and Zambezi. This agreement was referred to as Rudd concession of October 1888. This made settlers control 80% of land in Zimbabwe mines and industrial sector.
In 1951 Africans formed all Africans convection (AAC) to oppose the formation of freedom federationin central Africa among Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia. In 1953 the AAC fell apart when the British succeeded to impose the federal government. In 1953 the City Youth League was inaugurated under James Chilarema and George Nyandero. In 1957 Joshua Nkomo formed Rhodesia African national congress (RANC).
In 1959, African nationalist movement were banned by the federal government. In 1960 Africans formed National Democratic Party (NDP) under Joshua Nkomo but it was prohibited in 1961. Africans formed Zimbabwe African People Union (ZAPU) under Joshua Nkomo. ZAPU demanded universal adult suffrage (voting by ala adults in a country). ZAPU was forbidden in 1962. This caused Africans to conduct underground political movements.
However; African politicians in Zimbabwe were frustrated by Nkomo’s failure to commit the party to armed guerrilla struggle, as result, Ndabaning Sithole, Robert Mugabe and others broke away from ZAPU to form Zimbabwe African National Union in 1963.
THE UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (UDI) 1965.
Was the illegal declaration of independence by the settlers in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) from the British. The declaration was made by Ian Smith who was the leader of White settlers in Zimbabwe. The Declaration was made in 1965, and according to UDI, in 1970 there were negotiations between settlers led by Ian Smith and the British whereby settlers under Ian Smith agreed that African Majority Rule (Independence of Zimbabwe would be granted in 2035.
Hence this declaration angered many African nationalists who began launching their military operations as early as 1966. The need for armed struggle had been suggested for so long, for example, some Africans who later joined ZANU had left Zimbabwe and gone to take military training Ghana, Algeria and Czechoslovakia as early as 1962. When they came back from training they formed ZANU’s military wing (army) called Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), that in 1975 was operating from Mozambique where as ZAPU’s militants were operating from Zambia, ZAPU and ZANU guerrilla got support from FRELIMO, Tanzania, USSR, China and Zambia.
As the struggle against Ian Smith increased in Zimbabwe, the Rhodesian White regime began incorporating African in their leadership. For Example, under the agreement of 1978, Bishop Abel Muzorewa became the prime minister of what was called “Zimbabwe-Rhodesia”. The colonial government also succeeded to win the support of other traitors such as Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole and Chief Jeremiah Chirau.
However; this did not stop ZAPU and ZAPU operations against colonial rule, by this time OAU through the Decolonization Committee whose chairperson was Mwl Nyerere, was supporting ZAPU and ZANU. By the late 1979, the Patriotic Front (the union between ZAPU and ZANU in the fight for liberation of Zimbabwe) had succeeded to control a large part of Zimbabwe forcing the Smith-Muzorewa regime to accept the defeat and opted for agreement with the guerrillas. And the free election was held in February 1980 where Mugabe won the election and became the Prime minister.
What Were the Results Of UDI?
1. Banning of political parties. All African nationalist political parties were banned. Nationalist leaders like Joshua Nkomo and others were arrested.
2. Excluding Africans in political matters. UDI disregarded Africans in all political matters. Hence southern Rhodesia became only controlled by the minority white settlers alone.
3. Disunity among Africans. UDI completely discourages unity among African nationalist leaders. As a result, liberation movements were formed to tribal basis. This led to the rise of strong tribalism. e.g. bishop Abel Muzorewa of ANC, Rev Ndaboningi Sithole of NDP and Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU were not in good terms with each other.
4. Political parties united. Gradually, ZAPU and ZANU joined to form ZANU of a militant movement (freedom fighters) against settlers and UDI. This working unity was also called the Patriotic Front. Patriotic Front was the joint operation and union between ZAPU and ZANU in the fight for independence.
5. Intensification and armed struggle. UDI encouraged the guerilla war between the native people of southern Rhodesia and European settlers.
6. Formation of puppet government. The Rhodesia front under Edgar White head, formed puppet government in order to delay majority rule in Zimbabwe. They formed the national unity government for cheating Africans. Few Africans (betrayers) accepted post in the government e.g. bishop Abel Muzorewa, Rev Ndabaningi Sithole and Jeremiah Chiral.
7. Introduction of racial policies. Racial policies similar to those practice in south Africa were established.
8. Tanzania closed British embassy. In 1965 to 1968 Tanzania led no diplomatic relationship with Britain because of UDI issues. Ian smith and the British government planned independence of Zimbabwe to be 2035. Hence Tanzania closed her embassy in Britain to enforce changes in this decision.
9. Economic sanctions. Zimbabwe under the white settlers was not allowed to export new commodities to other countries. In spite of all these difficulties, in February 1980, Mugabe won the general election which involved Africa n majority. On 18th April 1980, Zimbabwe attained independence under Robert Gabriel Mugabe as the first prime minister. In 1981, Zimbabwe became a republic under President Canan Banaan and the executive Prime minister was Robert Mugabe . On 3rd December 1987, Mugabe became the president of Zimbabwe.
Reasons for the armed struggle in Zimbabwe
1. The presence of many settlers. Settlers in Zimbabwe owned about 64% of whole land in Zimbabwe. Settlers engaged themselves in agriculture, mining, etc in which they got profits. Therefore, settlers were not ready to grant independence to Africa.
2. The banning of political parties. The colonial government banned NDP in 1961, ZAPU was banned in 1962, ZANU was banned in 1964 which created room for Africa n to embark war. Therefore, African started to operate from outside For Example, ZANU starting operation from exile in Mozambique where as ZAPU operated from Zambia. Hence the banning of political parties was a reason for armed struggle in Zimbabwe.
3. The Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965. The settler under Ian Smith declared independence for white settlers in Zimbabwe in 1965, without consisting the British who had responsibility for Zimbabwe. This angered the Africans and decided to use armed struggle. The UDI promised majority rule to African so late because it was agreed in 1970 between the British and the Ian Smith’s led settlers that African would attain majority by 2035, this also made the nationalists opt for armed struggle.
4. Denial of basic rights and social services. In Zimbabwe, the Africans were not given freedom of speech. Africans were also not provided with social services such as education, goo jobs, better health services etc. so Africans were dissatisfied with the situation and were to wage war for their independence.
5. the imperialist power, influence in Zimbabwe. The imperialist powers such as USA, France and Britain continued to support UDI by supplying weapons. Therefore, Africa ns were discontented and stage armed struggle against whites.
6. The Richness of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe was very rich colony with a lot of cattle, good fertile land, minerals and the like, the white settlers who had been in Zimbabwe since their victory over Africans in the 1896-7 Chimurenga, were not ready to leave the colony peacefully, they wanted to continue to exploit the wealth of Zimbabwe hence armed struggle was the only option to end colonial rule in Zimbabwe.
7. Intensive British colonial settlers’ exploitation and oppression. The British settlers in Zimbabwe exploited African through land alienation, forced crop cultivation, unfair taxation, police and military brutality, low wages and the like all these made the Zimbabweans opt for armed struggle.
Problems faced Zimbabwe during armed struggle
1. Lack of fund
2. Settlers opposition
3. Illiteracy among Africans
4. Opposition from colonial government
5. Imperialist influence
6. Betrayal of some African nationalists e.g Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Chief Jeremiah Chirau and Rev. Ndabaning sithole.
7. Poor transport and communication
