This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/01/robert-mugabe-to-face-challenge-from-former-deputy-joice-mujuru

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Robert Mugabe to face challenge from former deputy Joice Mujuru Robert Mugabe to face challenge from former deputy Joice Mujuru
(6 months later)
Joice Mujuru, Zimbabwe’s former vice-president, launched a new party on Tuesday to challenge Robert Mugabe, promising to revive the economy and repair strained relations with the west.Joice Mujuru, Zimbabwe’s former vice-president, launched a new party on Tuesday to challenge Robert Mugabe, promising to revive the economy and repair strained relations with the west.
Mugabe, 92, has been president since 1987. Mujuru, 60, was his deputy for a decade, and was seen as his likely successor until he fired her in 2014, accusing her of leading a plot to oust him.Mugabe, 92, has been president since 1987. Mujuru, 60, was his deputy for a decade, and was seen as his likely successor until he fired her in 2014, accusing her of leading a plot to oust him.
Related: Joice Mujuru: the woman threatening to topple Robert Mugabe's ruling party
In her first public address since then, she said the new Zimbabwe People First party would bring jobs and review the ruling Zanu-PF party’s divisive black economic empowerment laws, which critics say have scared off investors.In her first public address since then, she said the new Zimbabwe People First party would bring jobs and review the ruling Zanu-PF party’s divisive black economic empowerment laws, which critics say have scared off investors.
She said she was open to alliances with other opposition groups before the 2018 presidential elections.She said she was open to alliances with other opposition groups before the 2018 presidential elections.
“Today we confirm our existence as a viable, inclusive homegrown political party,” Mujuru, she said to cheers from supporters on Tuesday. “We are not fighting one man but a system, that system which is unjust.”“Today we confirm our existence as a viable, inclusive homegrown political party,” Mujuru, she said to cheers from supporters on Tuesday. “We are not fighting one man but a system, that system which is unjust.”
Zanu-PF national commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, described Mujuru’s party as a “gathering of losers”.Zanu-PF national commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, described Mujuru’s party as a “gathering of losers”.
Zimbabwe is struggling to emerge from a deep recession that shrank its economy by nearly half during the decade to 2008.Zimbabwe is struggling to emerge from a deep recession that shrank its economy by nearly half during the decade to 2008.