December 10, 2011 - Mugabe's Zanu PF party endorses him as its candidate for the 2012 presidential elections. The 87-year-old Mugabe rejects calls for him to retire saying, "I will continue to lead the party as I have done."

December 19, 2012 - A Mugabe spokesman says Mugabe will call for presidential elections before the end of the year even if a new constitution isn't agree upon. Under his power sharing deal with Tsvangirai, a referendum on the constitution must be held before presidential elections can take place.