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Zimbabwe party to launch campaign Mugabe to launch sixth term bid
(about 8 hours later)
Zimbabwe's main opposition party is due to release its campaign manifesto for next month's general election. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is expected to launch his campaign for a sixth term in power at celebrations marking his 84th birthday.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will introduce candidates at a ceremony in the eastern town of Mutare. Thousands are expected at the rally in the southern border town of Beitbridge.
Meanwhile, exiled Zimbabweans are due to hold protests on the South African border as President Robert Mugabe celebrates his 84th birthday nearby. The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, will launch his manifesto in the eastern town of Mutare.
Mr Mugabe is visiting the Zimbabwean border town of Beitbridge for his official birthday party. Zimbabwe is suffering an economic crisis, with annual inflation of 100,000%, and unemployment at 80%.
Zimbabwe's president of 28 years is also expected to campaign for the joint presidential, legislative, senate and local council polls which are scheduled for 29 March. There are also severe food and fuel shortages.
Political 'prostitute' The presidential, legislative, senate and local council polls are scheduled for 29 March.
"We are introducing our full set of candidates whom we have named as the 'New Zimbabwe Team,'" MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP. Challengers
Mr Mugabe called presidential rival Simba Makoni a political prostitute Mr Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980.
He said the ceremony would include the unveiling of the party's symbol, as well as a manifesto spelling out the MDC's aims for its first 100 days in office, if elected. Mr Tsvangirai is one of three candidates challenging him in next month's presidential poll.
He said thousands of supporters were expected at Saturday's event, which will be held in Mutare's Sakubva stadium. Zimbabweans have to queue for everything from sugar to banknotesThe others are independent candidates - former Finance Minister Simba Makoni and Langton Towungana.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is one of three candidates challenging Mr Mugabe in next month's presidential poll. Mr Makoni, 58, has pledged to turn round the country's economic fortunes if elected.
The others are independent candidates - former Finance Minister Simba Makoni and Langton Towungana. He has been expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party, and Mr Mugabe has compared him to a prostitute.
On Thursday Mr Mugabe described Mr Makoni as a political "prostitute". BBC southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Mugabe's annual birthday celebration is always a lavish occasion, and the state media have poured adulation on the Zimbabwean president this week.
Zimbabwe is suffering from an annual rate of inflation officially more than 100,000%, as well as severe shortages of basic goods such as food and fuel. Across the border in South Africa, Zimbabwean exiles have been staging an anti-Mugabe demonstration.
Roy Bennett of the MDC addressed the crowd of about 200 exiled Zimbabwean activists.
"After 28 years, a man who is now 84 years old is having a birthday party. A birthday party while everybody around him is starving and dying."