7.1 Successes And Failures Of Past Reconciliation Efforts In light of the past reconciliation efforts outlined in table 12 above, there are success stories and milestones that were recorded in Zimbabwe’s transitional justice processes. The ‘forgive and forget’ reconciliation policy of 1980, also known as the Prime Minister’s decree) was considered successful in integrating the Rhodesian armed forces with the liberation war movements (ZIPRA and ZANLA) to form a unified Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). “ The Late VP. Dr Joshua N. Nkomo and the former President of Zimbabwe R.G Mugabe after signing the Unity Accord, 1987. Source: The Herald However, the decree failed to effectively unite black liberation war movements ZANLA and ZAPU which led to uprisings within the armies’ assembly points in Entumbane in 1981.85 Arguably, it was the inappropriate demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of the war liberation movements which led to the Gukurahundi massacres between 1981 -1986 as “the ‘dissidents’ wanted to make the country ungovernable.”86 The Gukurahundi atrocities left Zimbabwe tribally divided and politically fractured. The Unity Accord was then signed between PF ZAPU and ZANU PF to form ZANU PF with an objective to halt the massacres and creating a one party state.87 the ‘dissidents’ wanted to make the country ungovernable.” The study respondents believe that the Unity Accord successfully stopped the Gukurahundi massacres as well as ensuring that Zimbabwe remains one country. One key informant interviewee confirmed this assertion saying “the unity between ZAPU and ZANU which you call Unity Accord brought unity because dissidents wanted to split the country into two separate states.”88 Benyera, E. (2015). Debating the efficacy transitional justice mechanisms: the case of national healing in Zimbabwe. Pretoria, University of South Africa 86 Personal interview with a War Veteran in Midlands on the 16th of March 2017 87 Masunungure, E. V. (2006). Nation-building, state-building and power configuration in Zimbabwe. conflict trends, (1), 3-8. See also, Mashingaidze, T. M. (2005). The 1987 Zimbabwe National Unity Accord and its Aftermath: A case of peace without reconciliation. From national liberation to democratic renaissance in Southern Africa, 82-92. 88 Personal interview with a War Veteran in Zaka on the 22nd of February 2017 85 48 RECONCILIATION PROCESSES IN ZIMBABWE