During the Rhodesian Bush War two rival nationalist parties , Robert Mugabe 's Zimbabwe African National Union ( ZANU ) and Joshua Nkomo 's Zimbabwe African People 's Union ( ZAPU ) , had emerged Coming_to_be to challenge Rhodesia 's predominantly white government .

Following Mugabe 's ascension Change_of_leadership to power , his government remained Presence threatened by `` dissidents '' – disgruntled former guerrillas and supporters of ZAPU .

The conflict Hostile_encounter pitted Hostile_encounter three forces against one another : the Rhodesian government , led by Ian Smith ( later the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian government of Bishop Abel Muzorewa ) ; the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army , the military wing of Robert Mugabe 's Zimbabwe African National Union ; and the Zimbabwe People 's Revolutionary Army of Joshua Nkomo 's Zimbabwe African People 's Union .

ZANU won the election Choosing and Mugabe became Becoming the first Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980 , when the country achieved Achieve internationally recognised Know independence .