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Mugabe prepares lavish birthday | Mugabe prepares lavish birthday |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Supporters of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe have raised $250,000 (£176,000) for his 85th birthday party on Saturday, state media reports. | Supporters of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe have raised $250,000 (£176,000) for his 85th birthday party on Saturday, state media reports. |
Former opposition leader, now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, will attend the bash, the AFP news agency reports. | Former opposition leader, now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, will attend the bash, the AFP news agency reports. |
The lavish celebrations come as Zimbabwe asks other African countries for $2bn (£1.4bn) to rescue its collapsed economy. | The lavish celebrations come as Zimbabwe asks other African countries for $2bn (£1.4bn) to rescue its collapsed economy. |
They have said they would try to get donors to restore budgetary aid. | |
But the southern African ministers did not offer any concrete pledges themselves. | |
Mr Mugabe turned 85 on 21 February but his party is being held a week later. | Mr Mugabe turned 85 on 21 February but his party is being held a week later. |
The party is being held in the north-western town of Chinhoyi. | The party is being held in the north-western town of Chinhoyi. |
Harare businessman and Zanu-PF official Philip Chiyangwa donated $110,000 (£78,000), The Herald newspaper says. | Harare businessman and Zanu-PF official Philip Chiyangwa donated $110,000 (£78,000), The Herald newspaper says. |
'Satisfied few' | 'Satisfied few' |
Last year, Mr Tsvangirai criticised Mr Mugabe's birthday celebrations as "a gathering of the satisfied few".Morgan Tsvangirai is due to attend the party for the first time | |
Mr Mugabe swore in his long-time rival in a power-sharing government earlier this month. | |
The leaders of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are meeting later on Friday to review their participation in the unity administration. | The leaders of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are meeting later on Friday to review their participation in the unity administration. |
Some are concerned that Mr Mugabe has unilaterally appointed senior civil servants, while opposition activists remain in custody. | Some are concerned that Mr Mugabe has unilaterally appointed senior civil servants, while opposition activists remain in custody. |
These include MDC treasurer Roy Bennett, who the party has nominated to be deputy agriculture minister. | These include MDC treasurer Roy Bennett, who the party has nominated to be deputy agriculture minister. |
He has been accused of involvement in a plot to topple Mr Mugabe. | He has been accused of involvement in a plot to topple Mr Mugabe. |
Concern | |
After a two-day meeting of regional ministers in Cape Town, South Africa's Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said: | |
"The ministers responsible for finance and investment undertook to pursue measures in support of Zimbabwe's economic recovery programme, namely, collectively engaging bilateral and multilateral donors through SADC [Southern African Development Community] and the African Union." | |
Western donors have resisted African requests to help rescue Zimbabwe's economy. | |
They say they are waiting for proof that the unity government is really working. | |
Zimbabwe has asked for emergency aid to revive public services and the business sector. | |
But as the summit began on Thursday, local people expressed concern as to whether their country could afford the aid burden, says the BBC's Mohammed Allie in Cape Town. | |
He points out that South Africa has recently lost thousands of jobs, particularly in the mining, clothing and motor car industry. | He points out that South Africa has recently lost thousands of jobs, particularly in the mining, clothing and motor car industry. |
Mr Tsvangirai said last week it would cost as much as $5bn (£3.5bn) to fix Zimbabwe's economy. | Mr Tsvangirai said last week it would cost as much as $5bn (£3.5bn) to fix Zimbabwe's economy. |
The new administration urgently needs to tackle an economic meltdown that has led to the world's highest inflation, food shortages and a cholera epidemic. | The new administration urgently needs to tackle an economic meltdown that has led to the world's highest inflation, food shortages and a cholera epidemic. |
More than half the population is believed to need food aid, while just 10% of adults have a regular job. | More than half the population is believed to need food aid, while just 10% of adults have a regular job. |
The Herald quotes African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka as saying that Zimbabwe's economic recovery plan merits support. | The Herald quotes African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka as saying that Zimbabwe's economic recovery plan merits support. |
But he said Zimbabwe's foreign debts of $5bn (£3.5bn) had to be addressed, before more aid could be sent. | But he said Zimbabwe's foreign debts of $5bn (£3.5bn) had to be addressed, before more aid could be sent. |