1976 – Opening of Geneva Conference on Rhodesia
Opening of Geneva Conference on Rhodesia
28 October – 14 December 1976
The Geneva Conference took place in Geneva, Switzerland during the Rhodesian Bush War. Held under British mediation, its participants were the unrecognised government of Rhodesia, led by Ian Smith, and a number of rival Rhodesian black nationalist parties: the African National Council, led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa; the Front for the Liberation of Zimbabwe, led by James Chikerema; and a joint “Patriotic Front” made up of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Unionand the Zimbabwe African People’s Union led by Joshua Nkomo.
The purpose of the conference was to attempt to agree on a new constitution for Rhodesia and in doing so find a way to end the Bush War raging between the government and the guerrillas commanded by Mugabe and Nkomo respectively.
The proceedings began on 28 October 1976, eight days behind schedule, and were chaired by a British mediator, Ivor Richard, who offended both delegations before the conference even started. Little progress was made during the two sides’ discussions, causing the conference to be indefinitely adjourned on 14 December 1976. It was never reconvened.
