The President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has insisted that there is no vacancy for the leadership of the country despite its rapid economic decline in recent years.
In an interview marking his 83rd birthday today and after nearly 27 years in power, Mr Mugabe said he had no intention of stepping down in the short term.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has experienced widespread food shortages, inflation running at around 1600% and around 80% of the population living below the poverty line.
