Zimbabwe's Mugabe marks 91st birthday as country struggles

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe turns 91 on Saturday, with his supporters saying they will back him to run his full term until 2018 and beyond despite nagging questions about his health and an economy that is crumbling under his watch.

Mugabe’s recent fall at Harare Airport fuelled renewed speculation that old age is catching up with the man who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. The spry Mugabe, however, succeeded in breaking his fall and apparently was not injured. His officials say he is in good health.

In addition to being in power in Zimbabwe, this year Mugabe is also chairman of the 54-nation African Union and the 15-nation Southern African Development Community.

Low key events marked Saturday’s birthday but lavish celebrations are planned Feb. 28 in the resort town of Victoria Falls. Those celebrations will be held by the 21st February Movement, the group that has planned Mugabe’s birthday celebrations since 1986. Members of Mugabe’s ruling paty, ZANU-PF, say they are raising more than $1 million for the festivities.

The celebrations are leaving a sour taste in the mouth for some Zimbabweans battling to survive under economic deterioration that has led to company closures, massive unemployment and successive food shortages.