Parties: United Kingdom; Delegation of Mr Mugabe; Delegation of Bishop Muzorewa
Type: Intra-state
The Parties to the Agreement agreed 1) to accept the authority of the Governor; 2) to abide by the Independence Constitution; 3) to comply with the pre-independence arrangements; 4) to abide by the ceasefire agreement; 5) to campaign peacefully and without intimidation; 6) to renounce the use of force for political ends; and 7) to accept the outcome of the elections and instruct any forces under their authority to do the same. In terms of the Independence Constitution it was agreed that Zimbabwe would be a sovereign state with the Constitution as the supreme law, and that every person who was a citizen of Rhodesia immediately before Independence would automatically become a citizen of Zimbabwe on Independence. The Constitution would also include a declaration of rights and the composition and functioning of the Executive, comprising the President, Executive Council, Ministers, the public service and the police force, as well as the Parliament as the legislature, comprising a Senate and House of Assembly. Provisions would be made in the Independence Constitution for the functioning of the Judiciary and the Defence Forces.
In terms of pre-Independence arrangements, the Parties agreed that it is for the British Parliament to grant legal independence to Rhodesia. Thereafter, under the Independence Constitution, majority rule would be effected, with the power being transferred to the party winning free and fair national elections, and with the commitment of all to abide by the outcome of the election. It was agreed that the remodelling of the institutions of government would take place after independence. The Parties agreed that Britain would be responsible for creating the conditions for fair elections acceptable to both sides, and that until the election took place, Rhodesia would be governed by a British Governor, who would have powers to make laws by ordinance for the peace, order and good governance of the country.
The Parties agreed that all persons detained arbitrarily and on political grounds by any party would be released. The Parties agreed that all the political leaders would commit themselves to the election campaign. The Parties agreed that the independence government would be responsible for the return of refugees, and further that the task of maintaining law and order in the pre-Independence period would be the responsibility of the civil police. The Parties agreed that all political parties that register for elections would be free to take part in the elections and that any order banning or restricting a political party would be revoked. The Parties agreed that registration of voters would not be required, but that voters would be required as necessary to produce evidence of identity and eligibility to vote.