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| Mugabe set for lavish birthday | Mugabe set for lavish birthday |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is preparing to celebrate his 85th birthday at a lavish party paid for by his supporters. | Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is preparing to celebrate his 85th birthday at a lavish party paid for by his supporters. |
| They have raised $250,000 (£176,000) for the event, being held in Chinhoyi, north-west of the capital, Harare. | They have raised $250,000 (£176,000) for the event, being held in Chinhoyi, north-west of the capital, Harare. |
| It is not clear whether the new PM and former opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, will attend. | |
| The event comes days after Zimbabwe asked other African countries for $2bn (£1.4bn) to rescue its failing economy. | The event comes days after Zimbabwe asked other African countries for $2bn (£1.4bn) to rescue its failing economy. |
| 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. |
| Organisers say huge numbers of people will join a rally as part of the festivities. | Organisers say huge numbers of people will join a rally as part of the festivities. |
| "Now all is set for the event and we expect thousands of people to throng the venue and celebrate with us," Themba Mliswa, treasurer of the fundraising committee, was quoted as saying. | "Now all is set for the event and we expect thousands of people to throng the venue and celebrate with us," Themba Mliswa, treasurer of the fundraising committee, was quoted as saying. |
| Last year Mr Tsvangirai criticised Mr Mugabe's birthday celebrations as "a gathering of the satisfied few", but some reports have said he may attend this year. | |
| Aid needs | Aid needs |
| The controversial celebrations come as Zimbabwe continues to struggle with the world's highest inflation, food shortages and a cholera epidemic which the World Health Organisation says has killed 3,894 people since August last year. | The controversial celebrations come as Zimbabwe continues to struggle with the world's highest inflation, food shortages and a cholera epidemic which the World Health Organisation says has killed 3,894 people since August last year. |
| There have been more than 84,000 reported cases, says the WHO. | There have been more than 84,000 reported cases, says the WHO. |
| The WHO reports more than 84,000 cholera cases in Zimbabwe | The WHO reports more than 84,000 cholera cases in Zimbabwe |
| 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. |
| John Makumbe, a political analyst and critic of Mr Mugabe, said that to stage such extravagant celebrations when so many people were suffering was "obscene and a sign of an insensitive leadership". | John Makumbe, a political analyst and critic of Mr Mugabe, said that to stage such extravagant celebrations when so many people were suffering was "obscene and a sign of an insensitive leadership". |
| "In a normal country this kind of party would not be taking place in this kind of environment where so many people have no food," Reuters quoted Mr Makumbe as saying. | "In a normal country this kind of party would not be taking place in this kind of environment where so many people have no food," Reuters quoted Mr Makumbe as saying. |
| Mr Tsvangirai - who sworn in two weeks ago in a unity government with Mr Mugabe ending months of political deadlock - has said it would cost as much as $5bn to fix Zimbabwe's economy. | Mr Tsvangirai - who sworn in two weeks ago in a unity government with Mr Mugabe ending months of political deadlock - has said it would cost as much as $5bn to fix Zimbabwe's economy. |
| The country has asked for $2bn in emergency aid to revive public services and the business sector. | The country has asked for $2bn in emergency aid to revive public services and the business sector. |
| Following a two-day meeting of regional ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union pledged to "pursue measures in support of Zimbabwe's economic recovery programme". | Following a two-day meeting of regional ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union pledged to "pursue measures in support of Zimbabwe's economic recovery programme". |
| But Western donors have said they are waiting for proof that the unity government is really working before sending in funds. | But Western donors have said they are waiting for proof that the unity government is really working before sending in funds. |