Part 5/9:
Upon his release in 1974, Mugabe re-engaged in the liberation struggle, building alliances and commanding factions within ZANU. His influential role was solidified during critical negotiations leading to Zimbabwe's independence, which culminated in his election as the country’s first Prime Minister in April 1980. His early years of leadership emphasized reconciliation and unity, even including white leaders in his cabinet and acknowledging the contributions of white commercial farmers, whose agricultural output was crucial for the fledgling nation.