Lancaster House Agreement facts for kids
Bishop Abel Muzorewa signs the Lancaster House Agreement seated next to British Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington.
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| Signed | 21 December 1979 |
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| Location | Lancaster House in London |
| Signatories | Lord Carrington, Sir Ian Gilmour, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Dr Silas Mundawarara, Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe |
| Parties |  United Kingdom
 ZANU–PF |
| Language | English |
The Lancaster House Agreement was a set of important agreements signed on December 21, 1979. These agreements were made at Lancaster House in London. They followed a big meeting where different groups discussed the future of Zimbabwe Rhodesia. This country used to be called Rhodesia.
The signing of these agreements officially ended a long armed conflict in Zimbabwe. It also meant that Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence was no longer valid. For a short time, British colonial rule was brought back. During this time, free elections were held under the supervision of the British government.
A key part of the agreement was that the political groups ZANU and ZAPU could take part in the elections. These groups were nationalist movements that had been fighting for independence since 1964 in what was known as the Rhodesian Bush War. However, they had to agree to a ceasefire and stop any voter intimidation.
Contents
The Negotiations: How it Happened
After a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Lusaka in August 1979, the British government invited the leaders of Zimbabwe Rhodesia and the Patriotic Front to a special meeting. This meeting was called the Constitutional Conference and took place at Lancaster House.
The main goals of the conference were:
- To agree on a new constitution for the country after it became independent.
- To plan how elections would be held under British control.
- To help Zimbabwe Rhodesia become a lawful and internationally recognized independent nation.
- To encourage the different groups to solve their disagreements peacefully.
The conference officially started on September 10, 1979.
Who Led the Talks?
Lord Carrington, who was the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary for the United Kingdom, led the conference. The talks lasted from September 10 to December 15, 1979, and included 47 main discussion sessions.
The British team was led by Antony Duff. The Patriotic Front team was led by Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo. The team representing Zimbabwe Rhodesia was led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa. This group also included Ian Smith.
What Was Agreed?
During the conference, the groups agreed on several important things:
- A new constitution for the country after independence.
- Plans for the time leading up to independence.
- A cease-fire agreement, which all sides signed.
By signing the agreement, all parties promised to accept the authority of the British Governor. They also agreed to follow the new independence constitution (often called the "Lancaster Constitution") and the ceasefire. They promised to campaign peacefully, without scaring voters, and to accept the results of the elections.
Under the new constitution, 20 percent of the seats in the country's parliament were set aside for white people. This rule stayed in the constitution until 1987.
The Lancaster House Agreement was signed on December 21, 1979. Lord Carrington and Sir Ian Gilmour signed for the United Kingdom. Bishop Abel Muzorewa and Dr Silas Mundawarara signed for the Government of Zimbabwe Rhodesia. Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo signed for the Patriotic Front.
Many people believe the talks were successful because of a balance of power between the fighting groups, the effect of international sanctions on Rhodesia's economy, and Lord Carrington's skills as a mediator.
The Outcome: A New Nation
Under the terms of the Agreement, Zimbabwe Rhodesia temporarily went back to being the Colony of Southern Rhodesia. This officially ended the rebellion that started with Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Lord Soames was appointed Governor and had full power to run the country. The Agreement led to the end of the unrecognized state of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
As part of the ceasefire, fighters from ZAPU and ZANU were to gather at special meeting points under British supervision. After this, elections were held to choose a new government. These elections took place in February 1980. The Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), led by Robert Mugabe, won most of the seats.
Zimbabwe gained its independence on April 18, 1980, following the constitution agreed upon at Lancaster House. Robert Mugabe became the first Prime Minister.
The Lancaster House Agreement covered the new constitution, the plans for the time before independence, and the terms of the ceasefire. The agreement is named after Lancaster House in London, where the independence conference was held from September 10 to December 15, 1979.
Later Developments
In February 1980, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 463. This resolution asked all parties to follow the agreement. It also encouraged the U.K. to make sure that any South African forces, whether regular soldiers or mercenaries, left the country. The resolution also asked the U.K. to allow Zimbabwean exiles and refugees to return home quickly. It also called for the release of political prisoners and for all emergency laws that went against fair elections to be removed.
One important topic that was not fully resolved at the conference was the "land question." The agreement stated that the new government could buy land owned by white settlers. However, this could only happen if the sellers were willing, and they had to be paid for their land. There were no formal rules for Britain to help fund these land programs.
Years later, in 1997, war veterans started receiving payments for their service in the Rhodesian Bush War. This cost the country a lot of money. Soon after, Robert Mugabe announced that land would be taken from owners without their consent. This led to a period of hyperinflation, where money lost its value very quickly. Many white people also left the country.
See also
- Land reform in Zimbabwe
