With a cholera epidemic raging in his hungry nation, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is planning a champagne and caviar extravaganza in honor of his 85th birthday.

The dictator is soliciting contributions to the occasion, and his list of suggestions — lobsters, chocolates, duck and more — is one more reason to despair for the African nation.

More than nine of every 10 Zimbabweans are jobless. The currency is worthless, the infrastructure ruined. Wealthy nations are understandably reluctant to send aid to a nation in which corruption is as rampant as AIDS and malaria.

Mugabe's departure from government would be the only way forward.

A power-sharing arrangement between the dictator and his political foe, Morgan Tsvangirai, got off to a rocky start last week. One of Tsvangirai's choices to serve in the Cabinet was arrested by Mugabe's police just before he was to be sworn in.

Tsvangirai won a nationwide election last year and should be leading the nation. But there is little reason to believe that Mugabe and his thuggish allies will cede him any real power.

Mugabe's rule has been so devastating that the only reason to celebrate his birthday will be when he will never observe another while in power.