On this day in ...... 1979, in London, delegates from Britain and 3 Africa-based groups signed the Lancaster House Agreement by which the territory then known as Rhodesia gained full independence from Britain. It had been the site of multiparty conflict, and Ian Smith had declared it independent years earlier. Signers in addition to Smith included Robert Mugabe (prior posts), a Patriotic Front leader who in 1980 would be elected President of Zimbabwe (flag at right), as the country is now known. Among the matters negotiated was land reform -- as we've posted, still a source of controversy.
(Prior December 21 posts are here, here, and here.)
