Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has promoted his wife to a top position in his ZANU-PF party, a move that gives her a seat on the ruling party’s top decision-making body.

Grace Mugabe was promoted to head of women’s wing in the Zanu-PF, which puts her in a good position to succeed her ninety-year-old husband.

The first lady has, over the past few months, criticized political rivals, including Vice President Joyce Mujuru, who was seen until recently as a principal contender to eventually succeed the president.

Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since 1980, was also re-appointed as leader of the ruling party and candidate in the next elections in 2018. The congress also authorized him to personally pick his vice president and other top party positions.

Speaking at Zanu-PF’s congress on Saturday, Mugabe thanked his supporters for choosing him as party leader and said he would announce a successor to Mujuru later this week.

On Thursday, Mugabe openly denounced Mujuru at the congress, accusing her of leading a “treacherous cabal” to oust him from power.

He described Mujuru as a corrupt thief, and even accused her of planning to assassinate him. She has denied the allegations.