Ian Douglas Smith

Smith, Ian Douglas (1919– ), Rhodesian prime minister (1964–79). As leader of a white minority government, he declared unilateral independence from Great Britain and made Rhodesia a republic in 1970. Civil strife ensued. In 1978 Smith and 3 black leaders agreed to share control until power was transferred to the black majority, but guerrilla nationalists rejected the plan. A British cease-fire was accepted in 1979, and complete independence came in 1980 with the formation of a black regime in Rhodesia, renamed Zimbabwe. Under the black majority rule Smith remained active in politics until 1987.