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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mugabe to launch sixth term bid | Mugabe to launch sixth term bid |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is expected to launch his campaign for a sixth term in power at celebrations marking his 84th birthday. | Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is expected to launch his campaign for a sixth term in power at celebrations marking his 84th birthday. |
| Thousands are expected at the rally in the southern border town of Beitbridge. | Thousands are expected at the rally in the southern border town of Beitbridge. |
| The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, will launch his manifesto in the eastern town of Mutare. | The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, will launch his manifesto in the eastern town of Mutare. |
| Zimbabwe is suffering an economic crisis, with annual inflation of 100,000%, and unemployment at 80%. | Zimbabwe is suffering an economic crisis, with annual inflation of 100,000%, and unemployment at 80%. |
| There are also severe food and fuel shortages. | There are also severe food and fuel shortages. |
| The presidential, legislative, senate and local council polls are scheduled for 29 March. | The presidential, legislative, senate and local council polls are scheduled for 29 March. |
| Challengers | Challengers |
| Mr Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980. | Mr Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980. |
| Mr Tsvangirai is one of three candidates challenging him in next month's presidential poll. | Mr Tsvangirai is one of three candidates challenging him in next month's presidential poll. |
| The others are independent candidates - former Finance Minister Simba Makoni and Langton Towungana. | |
| Mr Makoni, 58, has pledged to turn round the country's economic fortunes if elected. | Mr Makoni, 58, has pledged to turn round the country's economic fortunes if elected. |
| He has been expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party, and Mr Mugabe has compared him to a prostitute. | He has been expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party, and Mr Mugabe has compared him to a 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. | 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. |
| Across the border in South Africa, Zimbabwean exiles have been staging an anti-Mugabe demonstration. | 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. | 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." | "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." |