The position of President of Rhodesia was the nominal head of state of Rhodesia from 1970 to 1979. As with Rhodesia itself, the position lacked international recognition for the entire period. The position of president, however, was mostly symbolic, and Rhodesia never had a presidential system of government. Instead, power continued to be exercised by Rhodesia's Prime Minister, Ian Smith. Four individuals would hold the office prior to the end of the state, and the creation of the office of President of modern-day Zimbabwe. All four Rhodesian presidents were white Rhodesians of British descent, reflecting Rhodesia's status as a white separatist country with a dominant minority.
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Origins
Rhodesia had emerged out white settlement by settlers from the United Kingdom emigrating to Southern Africa, what had become the colony of Southern Rhodesia. As with all territories of the British Empire, it had recognised the British Monarch as its head of state.
On 11 November 1965, Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front Government proclaimed the Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom. On orders from the UK, the then Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs, immediately sacked Smith and his cabinet. This action was ignored by Smith, who stated that the UDI brought into immediate force a new constitution which dissolved the position of Governor. Under this constitution, the position of Governor was replaced by an "Officer Administering the Government", and this position was filled by Deputy Prime Minister Clifford Dupont.
Republic
Smith had sought to make Rhodesia a Commonwealth realm, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Rhodesia. Through this period Elizabeth II would be recognised as Rhodesia's queen, but he later decided to sever constitutional links with Britain, by making the country a republic. Following a whites-only referendum in 1969, Rhodesia was declared a republic in 1970. Dupont now assumed the ceremonial office of President, Smith's position as prime minister remaining unchanged. A presidential flag was adopted, featuring a blue field with the coat of arms in the centre. Dupont was succeeded as President in 1976 by John Wrathall, who died in office in 1978. In 1979 there was an Internal Settlement, which saw a black majority government for the first time, and the country was renamed Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Josiah Zion Gumede was chosen as its first (and only) president, which remained a ceremonial office. However, like the UDI and the declaration of a republic, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia was unrecognised internationally.
Until 1970, the head of state of Rhodesia remained the British monarch, represented in the country by a Governor. Gibbs remained in Salisbury, ensconced in Government House. He was still internationally recognised as the legal Governor, while Dupont, Smith and their Government were regarded as outlaws. In 1969, Gibbs resigned his office and left Rhodesia.
Decline
Following the Lancaster House Agreement, Britain resumed control of the rebel colony, and appointed Lord Soames as Governor until the country became independent as Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980. Canaan Banana became the first President of Zimbabwe, serving until 1987, when Robert Mugabe, previously Prime Minister, became executive President.
See also
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