Zimbabwe and the Non-Aligned Movement

[3] Prior to independence, support for decolonization and the establishment of black majority rule in Rhodesia were among central issues on the agenda of the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the 2nd Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cairo, Egypt participating countries condemned the repressive policies of the racist minority regime in Southern Rhodesia, which violated United Nations resolutions and denied fundamental freedoms.

[4] The conference urged all states to reject any independence declared under minority rule and instead consider recognizing an African nationalist government in exile, if established.

The location for the conference was in part selected in order to support Zambia whose sovereignty and borders were threatened by Rhodesia and Apartheid era South Africa.

[8] Initially designed for 2,500 seats, the project was modified at the request of Zimbabwe's prime minister Robert Mugabe, who envisioned hosting a NAM summit in the facility.