Zimbabwe celebrates a quarter of a century?s independence today with a dark cloud hanging over President Robert Mugabe, largely isolated and stung by Western sanctions over his policies.

The once prosperous nation is battling food and fuel shortages, crumbling municipal and social services and a long-running political crisis that some critics say has made Zimbabwe a classic case of a great unfulfilled promise.

But the 81-year-old Mugabe is undaunted, hailing Zimbabwe?s silver jubilee and his own 25-year hold on power as a triumph over Western imperialism and what he sees as a drive by former colonial power Britain to oust him and recolonise his country.

?This is our country, our heritage. We fought for national sovereignty and freedom and we shall never ever surrender it, whatever the odds or the threats,? Mugabe said at the weekend ahead of today?s independence anniversary celebrations.

Half a dozen African leaders are expected, but the event has been overshadowed by opposition charges that Mugabe?s ZANU-PF party cheated in last month?s parliamentary polls. The party claimed a two-thirds majority in parliament giving it sweeping powers to change the constitution at will.

<B>Independence hero turned villain? </B>

Critics say Mugabe, who led the 1970s independence war and in his early years in office invested heavily in health, education, and infrastructure, has since ruined one Africa?s most promising economies in his fight to retain power. In an editorial entitled: ?So much promise, yet so little delivered?, the weekly Zimbabwe Independent accused him of failing Zimbabwe dismally and seeking the ?dubious distinction? of presiding over the country from independence to death. ?That is our tragedy, that a liberation war hero who started off with so much promise has turned out to be a millstone around the nation?s neck,? the newspaper said.

Analysts say the former guerrilla leader has manipulated a defective constitution that does not limit the number of terms a president can serve, diverted state resources into a system of political patronage to buy loyalty within ZANU-PF and used electoral violence to beat his political opposition. Mugabe rejects accusations that ZANU-PF rigged the March 31 elections in the face of an unprecedented opposition challenge.

The poll prompted a chorus of condemnation from the opposition and Western powers that political analysts said had further dented Mugabe?s international credibility.

The European Union imposed travel and financial sanctions on Mugabe and officials it accused of undermining democracy after his 2002 re-election, which the opposition rejected as rigged.

Political analysts say Mugabe?s small guest list for Monday?s party ? limited largely to African leaders who have offered him political solidarity in the face of Western criticism ? illustrates his isolation.

South Africa ? in public one of Mugabe?s staunchest and most influential supporters ? is sending Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula as President Thabo Mbeki is overseas.

?You know you are in real trouble when you know that very few people want to be identified with you and that those who do so are doing so out of political decorum?, said Brian Kagoro of political pressure group Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe.

<B>Cris CHINAKA</B>