March 29 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, faces a tough challenge in Saturday's presidential vote being held alongside parliamentary and municipal ballots. Following is a chronology of Zimbabwe's decade of troubles: 1998 - An economic crisis marked by high interest rates and inflation provokes riots and increasing support for the Zimbabwean Congress of Trade Unions headed by Morgan Tsvangirai. 1999 - The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is formed and Tsvangirai is appointed leader. 2000 - Voters back the MDC and turn down a proposed constitutional amendment which would have given the president more power. -- Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF wins a parliamentary election amid charges of fraud and vote-rigging by the opposition. -- Thousands of independence war veterans and their allies, backed by the government, seize white-owned farms, saying the land was illegally appropriated by white settlers. 2001 - Government agrees to stop often violent land invasions in exchange for British funds to finance land reform. Mugabe later rejects criticism he has ignored the deal. 2002 - Mugabe wins election pitting him against Tsvangirai. Observers condemn poll as flawed and unfair. Commonwealth suspends Zimbabwe. 2003 - IMF begins steps to expel Zimbabwe over dues unpaid since 2001. Commonwealth summit agrees to continue suspension, leading Mugabe to pull Zimbabwe out of the organisation. 2004 - High Court acquits Tsvangirai of plotting to assassinate Mugabe and seize power, a ruling condemned by the government. Remaining charges are dropped in August 2005. 2005 - ZANU-PF wins parliamentary election, giving it the majority it needs to change the constitution. -- About 700,000 people lose their homes or livelihoods in the demolition of urban slums. 2007 - Tsvangirai says he was badly beaten after he attempts to attend a banned protest rally, spurring international condemnation of Mugabe's government. 2008 - Mugabe announces presidential and parliamentary elections for March 29, 2008. -- Ruling party member and former finance minister Simba Makoni launches election challenge to Mugabe and is expelled from party. -- Tsvangirai accuses Mugabe of abusing his position to try to rig the vote. (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit)
Refugees, mainly from Zimbabwe and Somalia, demonstrate outside the parliament in Cape Town March 20, 2008. Many refugees fleeing economic hardship and conflict on the African continent face bureaucratic obstacles and ...
