The Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) is a Zimbabwean political party. It is a militant communist organization and political party that campaigned for majority rule in Rhodesia, from its founding in 1961 until 1980. In 1987, it merged with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF).[4]
The party was formed on 17 December 1961, 10 days after the Rhodesian government banned the National Democratic Party (NDP). It was founded by Joshua Nkomo[5] as president, Samuel Parirenyatwa as vice-president, Ndabaningi Sithole as chairman, Jason Moyo as treasurer, Robert Mugabe as information and publicity secretary, and Leopold Takawira as external secretary. ZAPU was banned in 1962 by the Rhodesian white minority government, and later engaged in a guerrilla war against it. The armed wing of ZAPU, known as the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), was founded by Moyo and commanded by General Lookout Masuku.
ZAPU was separate from ZANU as its armed wing, ZIPRA, was aligned with the Soviet Union,[6] who prioritised mobilizing urban workers, whereas ZANU had a pro-People's Republic of China orientation which prioritised mobilizing the rural peasantry.
In 1980, ZAPU contested elections in Zimbabwe as the Patriotic Front, but lost to its rival ZANU. They merged into ZANU–PF in 1987 following the Gukurahundi massacres.[8][9]
Unity Accord
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The Unity Accord signed at that meeting stated that:
- ZANU and ZAPU have irrevocably committed themselves to unite under one political party.
- The unity of the two political parties; shall be achieved under the name Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) in short ZANU – PF.
- Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe shall be the First Secretary and President of ZANU PF.
- ZANU PF shall have two Second Secretaries and vice-presidents, who shall be appointed by the First Secretary and President of the Party.
- ZANU PF shall seek to establish a socialist society in Zimbabwe on the guidance of Marxism–Leninism principles.
- ZANU PF shall seek to establish a One Party State in Zimbabwe.
- The leadership of ZANU – PF shall abide by the Leadership Code.
- The existing structures of ZANU – PF and PF ZAPU shall be merged in accordance with the letter and spirit of this Agreement.
- Both parties shall take immediate vigorous steps to eliminate and end the insecurity and violence prevalent in Matabeleland.
- ZANU – PF and PF ZAPU shall convene their respective Congress to give effect to this Agreement within the shortest possible time.
- In the interim 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.
It was relaunched in 2008 by Joshua Nkomo's son, Michael Nkomo.[7]