Background

• During the 1880s a British explorer named Cecil Rhodes arrived to Zimbabwe (then called Zambezi) in pursuit of mining rights.
  The current ruler of Zambezi King Lobengula sold Rhodes these mining rights. However, when Rhodes returned to the
  country he brought with him the British army and overthrew local government of Zambezi and renaming the country to Rhodesia.


• Zimbabwe was a British colony for about 80 years. In 1965 Rhodesia, led by Ian Smith, declared independence from the UK.
  After declaring independence Rhodesia became engulfed in a civil war between 3 factions. The three factions fighting for control of Rhodesia was the: native Rhodesia government led by Ian Smith, ZANU led by Robert Mugabe, and ZAPU led by Joshua Nkomo


• Eventually the 3 factions agreed to peace talks proposed by the UK. This led to the Lancaster House Agreement and officially established a country named Zimbabwe.
  The 3 factions also agreed to hold free elections and respect the outcome of the election. Robert Mugabe won the first election following the Lancaster Agreement. Ever since Zimbabwes independence Mugabe has been the only President of Zimbabwe.