2. Zimbabwe I: Fighting for Independence

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President Robert Mugabe and Ian Smith

In 1980 Zimbabwe gained independence from the colonial rule of Britain. It was formerly called Rhodesia and was under the rule of Ian Smith. A bitter civil war raged for years before independence was granted.

Robert Mugabe was born in 1924. He was educated as a Roman-Catholic in missionary schools and went to University in South Africa. He returned to Rhodesia in 1960 and joined Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu). He left three years later to form the rival Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu).

Soon afterwards he was jailed for 10 years without trial. On release in 1974 he left Rhodesia for neighbouring Mozambique and led a guerilla force that fought a bloody war against the Smith government. In 1979 a peace deal was signed in London. This was called the Lancaster House agreement. It gave Rhodesia independence and renamed it Zimbabwe.

Mugabe returned home to a rapturous welcome from black supporters. He built a coalition government with Joshua Nkoma whose Zapu forces had also fought for independence.

Joshua Nkoma was later expelled from government when large amount of arms were discovered in Zapu-owned houses. Mugabe was now in sole possession of power and brutally cracked down on Zapu supporters.