Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU)

The Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) is a political party in Zimbabwe, founded in 1963. It played a key role in the liberation struggle against British colonial rule and white minority rule in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). ZANU, along with its rival ZAPU, fought for independence, leading to the country's freedom in 1980. The party is associated with its long-time leader, Robert Mugabe, who became the country's first Prime Minister and later President. ZANU has been influential in Zimbabwean politics, often representing the interests of the black majority population, though it has faced criticism for its governance and human rights record.