President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe seeks a 6th consecutive term as president of the southern African nation. He has ruled Zimbabwe "with an iron fist" for almost three decades and faces one of his toughest challenges yet in the general elections this weekend.
On Saturday, one of three voters go to the polls in simultaneous elections for presidential, parliamentary, senate and council positions. Mugabe faces three opposition candidates. Two of these are said to have good chances of winning in the coming elections. The regime of Mugabe may be facing some uncertainty in the midst of allegations of corruption and a failing economy.
Zimbabweans are the poorest they have ever been since Zimbabwe became a democracy. Unemployment is at around 80%. Inflation has increased to over 100,000%. Hundreds of thousands feel the country to earn more money anywhere else.
Once a respecte liberation hero, Mugabe now faces criticism from observers for repressive tactics as well as corruption. He is also blamed for the country's dire economic state.