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 was known as Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA).
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.
The Unity Accord signed at that meeting stated:
- That ZANU PF and PF ZAPU have irrevocably committed themselves to unite under one political party.
- That the unity of the two political parties; shall be achieved under the name Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) in short ZANU PF.
- That Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe shall be the First Secretary and President of ZANU PF.
- That ZANU PF shall have two Second Secretaries and Vice Presidents who shall be appointed by the First Secretary and President of the Party.
- That ZANU PF shall seek to establish a socialist society in Zimbabwe on the guidance of Marxist-Leninist principles.
- That ZANU PF shall seek to establish a One Party State in Zimbabwe.
- That the leadership of ZANU PF shall abide by the Leadership Code.
- That the existing structures of ZANU PF and PF ZAPU shall be merged in accordance with the letter and spirit of this Agreement.
- That both parties shall, in the interim, take immediate vigorous steps to eliminate and end the insecurity and violence prevalent in Matabeleland.
- That ZANU PF and PF ZAPU shall convene their respective Congress to give effect to this Agreement within the shortest possible time.
- 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.