The signing of the Lancaster House Agreement
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Struggle for Independence in Colonial Zimbabwe 1900-1980: The Lancaster House Conference and Independence (September 1979 to April 1980)
- The British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (the Iron Lady) agreed to convene a conference for Rhodesia
- The conference was held in London (Lancaster) from September to December 1979
- All parties were represented included the Patriotic Front
- A new republic of Zimbabwe was established after talks led by Lord Carrington and new elections were put on the drawing card
- Pressure was put on the guerrillas to accept a new settlement
- Muzorewa stepped down and the country became a colony of Britain under Lord Soames until elections were held
- ZANU PF and PF ZAPU and other parties contested separately in the elections
- ZANU PF won the victory under Mugabe by gaining 57 seats out of 80
- Zimbabwe’s official independence was declared on 18 April 1980 and the Union Jack was lowered for the Zimbabwean flag
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