Rhodesia Zimbabwe Government Timeline
In 1965, the Rhodesian Government, led by Prime Minister Ian Smith, severed its relations with the British Crown. Rhodesia Zimbabwe Government Timeline explains the changes in Rhodesia Zimbabwe Government rule.
Emmerson Mnangagwa President of Zimbabwe |
When the Prime Minister Ian Smith and the Rhodesian Government broke its bonds with the British Crown in 1965, The US immediately supported the British sanctions with embargoes on arms exports and sugar imports and the UN called for all its members to implement economic sanctions in 1966. France and the Russia abstained, but South Africa, Portugal refused, and their continued trading with Rhodesia was instrumental in keeping the government running. Negotiations with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson failed.
Joshua Nkomo's Zapu and Robert Mugabe's Zanu parties overcame their differences to form the Patriotic Front (PF) to confront Ian Smith. Armed resistance from their guerrilla movements continued until white rule formally ended in June 1979, when Abel Muzorewa of the African National Congress (ANC) became the first black prime minister of the newly named Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
"There can be no happiness in a country while the absurd situation continues to exist where people, such as ourselves, who have ruled themselves with an impeccable record for over 40 years, are denied what is freely granted to other countries." - Prime Minister Ian Smith