The Unity Accord, what it says

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The issue of the Unity Accord signed between Zanu PF and PF Zapu in 1987 has remained an emotive subject in the county especially among the ruling party
The issue of the Unity Accord signed between Zanu PF and PF Zapu in 1987 has remained an emotive subject in the county especially among the ruling party leadership.
The Unity Accord was signed between Zanu PF and PF Zapu in 1987. Here the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo and President Robert Mugabe are seen hugging at the signing ceremony

The issue has of late become more contentious as the party needs to fill in critical positions in the Politburo, including the co-Vice President position, which fell vacant after the death of VP John Nkomo in January last year.

The issue become more contentious after position fell vacant after the death of VP John Nkomo in January last year.
The issue become more contentious after position fell vacant after the death of VP John Nkomo in January last year.

This Zanu PF succession debate has revived discourse on the future of the Accord and its relevance in modern day Zimbabwean politics.

Senior politicians in the party do not appear to have a common position on the tenets of the Accord as it relates to the succession and seniority of the cadres in the united party.

Starting today Southern Eye will be publishing a series of articles to unpack the discourse on the Unity Accord. We will also be inviting our valued readers and key stakeholders to contribute to the discussion through our website and social media platforms.

To start off this discussion we today publish the full text of the Unity Accord Document.

Please send your feedback to our website, Twitter or  Facebook  

 

 

___________________________________________________ Agreement of Unity between The Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) and Patriotic Front (Zapu)

PREAMBLE

Conscious of the historical links between Zanu PF and PF Zapu in the struggle for national independence and democracy through the strategy of the Armed Struggle and their alliance under the banner of the Patriotic Front;

Cognisant of the fact that the two Parties jointly command the support of the overwhelming majority of the people of Zimbabwe as evidenced by the General Election results of 1980 and 1985 respectively;

Notwithstanding that Zanu PF commands a greater percentage of the said overwhelming majority of the people of Zimbabwe;

Desirous to unite our nation; establish peace, law and order and to guarantee social and economic development and political stability;

Determined to eliminate and end the insecurity and violence caused by dissidents in Matabeleland;

Convinced that national unity, political stability, peace, law and order, social and economic development can only be achieved to their fullest under conditions of peace and the unity primarily of Zanu PF and PF Zapu;

We, the two leaders of Zanu PF and PF Zapu, that is to say Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe, First Secretary and President of Zanu PF, and Comrade Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, President of PF Zapu, assisted by a Sub-Committee of equal members of Zanu PF and PF Zapu, held ten meetings to discuss the possible unity of our two parties as follows.

Consequent upon these meetings and paying due regard to all the principal issues raised thereat, we have agreed as follows: –

1st Meeting: 2nd October, 1985: Parliament Buildings 2nd Meeting: 28th November, 1985: Parliament Buildings 3rd Meeting: 4th April, 1986: Parliament Buildings 4th Meeting: 22nd July 1986: Parliament Buildings 5th Meeting: 29th December, 1986: Parliament Buildings 6th Meeting: 25th February, 1987: Parliament Buildings 7th Meeting: 3rd August, 1987: Parliament Buildings 8th Meeting: 10th August, 1987: Parliament Buildings 9th Meeting: 23rd October, 1987: Parliament Buildings 10th Meeting: 10th December, 1987: Parliament Buildings

 

___________________________________________________

THE AGREEMENT

1. That Zanu PF and PF Zapu have irrevocably committed themselves to unite under one political Party;

2. That the unity of the two political Parties shall be achieved under the name Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) in short Zanu PF ; 3. That Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe shall be the First Secretary and President of Zanu PF ;

4. That Zanu PF shall have two Second Secretaries and Vice Presidents who shall be appointed by the First Secretary and President of the Party;

5. That Zanu PF shall seek to establish a socialist society in Zimbabwe on the guidance of Marxist-Leninist principles;

6. That Zanu PF shall seek to establish a ONE-PARTY STATE in Zimbabwe;

7. That the leadership of Zanu PF shall abide by the Leadership Code;

8. That the existing structures of Zanu PF and PF Zapu shall be merged in accordance with the letter and spirit of this Agreement;

9. That both parties shall, in the interim, take immediate vigorous steps to eliminate and end the insecurity and violence prevalent in Matabeleland.

10. That Zanu PF and PF Zapu shall convene their respective Congresses to give effect to this Agreement within the shortest possible time;

11. That, in the interim, Comrade Robert Gabriel 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.

Signed…….