BRUSSELS, March 5 (UPI) -- The end of Robert Mugabe's term as president in 2008 may be a turning point for Zimbabwe for the better, an advocacy group said Monday.
"The prospect of President Mugabe's retirement has created an exceptional rallying point among varied constituencies within the country," said Francois Grignon, the International Crisis Group's Africa program director. "There is widespread agreement that he must leave so that the country can finally make progress on the needed economic and political reforms."
A transitional government is expected to be formed after Mugabe steps down and a new constitution is anticipated to be drafted by the next elections in 2010.
The non-profit group argued in its latest report on the country that Zimbabwe is still fragile, with its economy "in near meltdown." Pressure from the European Union and the United States, however, has helped divide the ruling party, ZANU-PF, and reinforce ideas that change is needed, the group said.
