ZANU-PF, or the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, is a political party in Zimbabwe. It was formed in 1987 through a merger of the Zimbabwe African National Union and the Zimbabwe African People's Union. The party has been the dominant force in Zimbabwean politics since the country gained independence in 1980, with its leader, Robert Mugabe, serving as Prime Minister and later President for several decades. ZANU-PF's ideology is rooted in nationalism and socialism, focusing on land reform and economic empowerment for black Zimbabweans. The party has faced criticism for its governance, including allegations of human rights abuses and electoral fraud, particularly during the controversial elections in the 2000s and 2010s.