CM/Res.766 (XXXIV)
RESOLUTION ON ZIMBABWE
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Thirty-fourth Ordinary Session, in Addis Ababa, from 6 to 15 February, 1980,
Having considered the prevailing developments in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe),
Having examined the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Southern Rhodesia,
Having also examined the report of the Thirty-fourth Session of the Co-ordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa on the question of Southern Rhodesia (CM/1023 (XXXIV),
Bearing in mind that the negotiations at Lancaster House in London were essentially the direct result of the armed struggle waged by the people of Zimbabwe led by the Patriotic Front as their sole legitimate and authentic representative,
Having affirmed also that the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland having resumed its responsibility as the Administering Authority must decolonize Southern Rhodesia on the basis of free and democratic elections, which will lead that territory to genuine independence acceptable to the international community in accordance with the objectives of United Nations General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV),
Gravely concerned at the numerous violations of the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement on the part of the Administering Authority, pertaining to the removal of all foreign forces from Southern Rhodesia, the confinement of all forces to their bases, the right of return of all Zimbabwean exiles and refugees, the release of all political prisoners and the exercise of impartiality in the process of the decolonization,
Deeply indignant at the reports of torture and harassment of refugees returning to Southern Rhodesia,
Gravely and particularly concerned at the continued presence of South African troops and mercenaries in Southern Rhodesia contrary to resolution 460 (1979) and 463 (1980) of the Security Council and assurance earlier given by the British Government to remove immediately all illegal foreign forces and mercenaries from Southern Rhodesia and the threat South Africa poses to the independence, unity and peace of Zimbabwe, as well as international peace and security,
Having deplored the constant threats and criminal acts perpetrated against the leaders of the Patriotic Front, and their supporters,
Gravely concerned at the massive and hostile propaganda carried out by the British authorities aimed at undermining the Patriotic Front,
Convinced that peace and security in the region depend on the holding of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe,
Gravely concerned at the deployment of the Rhodesian forces and auxiliaries for the purpose of maintaining so called Law and Order, in flagrant violation of the Lancaster House Agreement,
Indignant at the extension of Martial Law and the state of emergency in Southern Rhodesia and at the additional powers given to the Governor in violation of the letter and spirit of the Lancaster House Agreement:
ENDORSES the decisions and resolutions of the 34th Session of the Coordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa on the question of Southern Rhodesia;
HAILS the victory of the heroic Zimbabwean people and congratulates the Patriotic Front for its prosecution of the liberation struggle and for the decisive contribution in the negotiations at Lancaster House;
DECLARES SOLEMNLY that a just and lasting settlement in Zimbabwe will be possible only with the strict implementation of the Lancaster House Agreement and the full participation of the Patriotic Front at every stage of implementation;
COMMENDS the Patriotic Front for its compliance with the Lancaster House Agreement despite the many and grave violations of that Agreement by the British Authorities;
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the British Government for its violations of the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, and for its maneuvers and hostile propaganda against the Patriotic Front;
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the decision of the British Government to extend the state of emergency and the maintenance of martial law in the territory;
CALLS UPON the British Government to take all necessary steps in order to ensure that all Zimbabweans freely participate in the forthcoming electoral process including:
the speedy and unimpeded return of all Zimbabwean exiles and refugees without threats, intimidation and arrests, in conformity with the Lancaster House Agreement,
the release of all political prisoners,
the confinement forthwith of the Rhodesian and auxiliary forces to their bases in conformity with the Lancaster House Agreement,
the according of equal treatment to all parties to the Agreement,
the rescinding of all emergency laws and regulations inconsistent with the conduct of free and fair elections,
the ensuring of the safety and freedom of movement of the leaders of the Patriotic Front and their supporters, and
the desisting from hostile propaganda against the Patriotic Front and from any bias act that might facilitate the re-entrenchment of a puppet regime in the territory:
STRONG CONDEMNS the continued threats to and the criminal act against the leaders of the Patriotic Front;
CALLS UPON the British Government to create conditions in Southern Rhodesia which will ensure free and fair elections and avert the threat to international peace and security;
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the continued presence of South African troops and mercenaries in Southern Rhodesia, in spite of Security Council Resolutions 460 (1979) and 463 (1980) which constitutes a violation of the Lancaster House Agreement and a threat to international peace and security;
CALLS UPON the British Government to ensure the immediate and complete withdrawal of the South African and all mercenary troops currently in Zimbabwe serving with the so-called Rhodesian Security Forces;
CALLS UPON all OAU Member States not to accord any recognition to any institution set up in Zimbabwe which is not the direct outcome of a free and fair choice by the people of Zimbabwe;
CALLS UPON all OAU Member States to grant, as a matter of the utmost urgency, all possible financial and material assistance to the Patriotic Front to enable it to mount an effective election campaign;
SOLEMNLY URGES all OAU Member States to use their influence and relations with Great Britain to ensure the establishment of conditions for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe;
CALLS UPON the British Government to release any South African political prisoners, including captured freedom fighters in Southern Rhodesia, and to ensure their safe passage to any country of their choice;
STRONGLY APPEALS to the international community requesting it to join its efforts to those of the OAU to ensure that the Administering Power respects scrupulously and implements the provisions of the Lancaster House Agreement;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General of the United Nations to immediately investigate the reported torture and harassment of Zimbabwean refugees returning to Rhodesia and ensure that immediate corrective measures are taken by the British Administration to put an end to this situation;
URGENTLY REQUESTS the Secretary-General of the United Nations further to make strong representations to the British Government with the view of removing administrative and other obstacles to the speedy return of refugees to Zimbabwe in order that the process of repatriation of all Zimbabwean refugees can be completed before the elections;
URGENTLY REQUESTS the Administering Authority to accord all necessary facilities to an OAU Observer Team composed of Secretariat Officials with a view to monitoring the election process in Southern Rhodesia;
MANDATES the Secretary-General to convene an Extra-ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers within seven days of the results being made public to examine the conduct and results of the election, in order to determine the position of the OAU.