ZIPRA

ZIPRA, the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army, was the armed wing of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU). It emerged in the early 1960s to wage guerrilla warfare against the white minority regime in Rhodesia and to pursue the goal of Zimbabwean independence. During the Rhodesian Bush War, ZIPRA operated from bases in neighboring countries, notably Zambia, and sought to combine military action with political aims under ZAPU leadership.

As a guerrilla force, ZIPRA built a regional command structure and trained fighters with support from socialist bloc allies. It conducted raids, ambushes, and other operations intended to disrupt Rhodesian security forces and build international recognition for Zimbabwe’s liberation. ZIPRA’s activities ran parallel to those of ZANLA, the liberation army of ZANU, and the two movements sometimes competed for support and influence, though they shared the broader objective of ending minority rule.

Following the transition to independence, ZIPRA units were integrated into Zimbabwe’s national defense framework. The integration process brought ex-ZIPRA fighters into the country’s armed forces, contributing to the formation of the post‑independence security establishment. The legacy of ZIPRA remains a key part of Zimbabwe’s liberation history, illustrating the multifaceted dynamics of the two main liberation movements and their role in the path to independence.