A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Zimbabwe
Summary
The United States was the first country to establish an embassy in Zimbabwe following its creation in 1980. Since then, the United States has provided humanitarian relief and encouraged the holding of free, democratic elections that would allow for an end to international sanctions and the return of direct foreign investment to Zimbabwe.
Recognition
U.S. Recognition of Zimbabwe’s Independence, 1980.
The United States recognized the Republic of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980, when the American Embassy at Salisbury (now Harare) was established upon Zimbabwe’s attainment of independence on that same date. Zimbabwe previously had been under British sovereignty as Southern Rhodesia.
Note: The United States never recognized the independence of Rhodesia, the name of the state proclaimed by the colony’s minority white government in its unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) in 1965.
Diplomatic Relations
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and the American Embassy in Zimbabwe, 1980.
Diplomatic relations were established on April 18, 1980, when the American Embassy at Salisbury (now Harare) was established with Jeffrey Davidow as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.