Eithipia PM Meles Zenawi is Really Dead!!!

The Late PM Meles Zenawi

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Leader, Dies at 57

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN


Published: August 21, 2012

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia’s technocratic but repressive prime minister, who lifted his country from the ruins of civil war and transformed it into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies and one of the United States government’s closest African allies, died on Monday, state television reported. He was 57.

Ethiopian authorities said he had died in a hospital “abroad” – A European Commission spokesman told reporters that it was in Brussels -- just before midnight after getting a secondary infection. His failing health had been shrouded in mystery for months.

A former rebel leader who had dropped out of medical school in the 1970s to fight Ethiopia’s former Communist government, Mr. Meles was considered one of Africa’s shrewdest and most intelligent leaders. He was known to be a voracious reader with a steel-trap mind who could rapidly digest mountains of statistics and quote large chunks of Shakespeare. He worked closely with Washington to combat Muslim extremism in the Horn of Africa, though there were growing complaints, even among his backers, about his penchant for violently quashing any dissent.

Unaweza kusoma habari kamili kwa kubofya HAPA:

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World Leaders React to PM's Death
Kutoka BBC.com

Meles death: Leaders' reaction African and other leaders have been reacting to the news that Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57. He was one of the continent's most prominent leaders and had dominated Ethiopian politics for more than 20 years.

Raila Odinga, Kenyan Prime Minister

Meles Zenawi was a great leader, an intellectual, someone who was very dedicated to pan-Africanism. One will remember him for the great effort he put in to transforming the Ethiopian economy.

One fears for the stability of Ethiopia upon his death because you know that the Ethiopian state is fairly fragile and there is a lot of ethnic violence... I don't know that [Ethiopian politicians] are sufficiently prepared for a succession: this is my fear, that there may be a falling out within the ruling movement.

Jacob Zuma, South African President

It is an absolute tragedy for Africa and the people of Ethiopia to mourn such an exceptional leader who contributed as an active role-player in various continental and global initiatives.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had been a strong leader, not only for his country but on the African continent, acting as mediator on numerous talks, particularly in the Horn of Africa region.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia

Meles Zenawi was an economic transformer, he was a strong intellectual leader for the continent. In our regional meetings he stood out because of his intellect and his ability to respond and to lead dialogue on matters relating to African development. He will be missed in all of our meetings and all of our endeavour.

I don't have fears [over the transition] because I believe there are many other leaders in Ethiopia who will get the support of regional leaders to make the transformation that is necessary, moving towards an open society.

Barnaba Benjamin, South Sudanese Information Minister

It's a very, very sad day for the people of the Republic of South Sudan and the people of the East African region as a whole. This has been a tremendous nationalist leader, a president who had always let peace come to his neighbours.

We in South Sudan in particular, consider Ethiopia and especially Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a strategic ally that (who) always never let a friend down. Indeed we greatly mourn him and we extend our extensive condolences to the people of Ethiopia.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso

Prime Minister Meles was a respected African leader. He demonstrated his strong personal commitment over many years to improving the lives of not just his own but all African peoples, through his work on African unity, climate change, development and in promoting peace and stability, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

I sincerely hope that Ethiopia will enhance its path of democratisation, upholding of human rights and prosperity for its people, and of further regional stabilisation and integration."

David Cameron, British Prime Minister

Prime Minister Meles was an inspirational spokesman for Africa on global issues and provided leadership and vision on Somalia and Sudan.

His personal contribution to Ethiopia's development, in particular by lifting millions of Ethiopians out of poverty, has set an example for the region. Our thoughts are with his family and with the nation of Ethiopia. He will be greatly missed.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

It is with great sadness that I learned of Meles Zenawi's death. He was a hugely significant figure in Ethiopia's history, in particular helping guide his country from extreme poverty to an era of economic growth and development.

My deepest condolences go to his family and the people of Ethiopia.

PM Zenawi Wa Ethiopia Anapata Nafuu

Duh! Wengine wanasema Waziri Mkuu wa Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi amefariki kweli ila wanaficha. Wengine wanasema yuko hospitalini kwa ajili ya matibabu na hali yake inaendelea vizuri, ingawa hawasemi yuko wapi!

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PM Meles Zenawi  of Ethiopia in a Hospital in Belgium

Kutoka BBC.com


Meles Zenawi: Ethiopian leader 'getting better'


Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is in "a good condition and recuperating", a government spokesman has told the BBC, dismissing reports he is critically ill.

However, Bereket Simon declined to give any details about Mr Meles' whereabouts or what he is suffering from.

Mr Bereket had earlier been quoted as saying the prime minister, 57, was on holiday.

Speculation began when he missed last month's African Union summit.

There were reports that Mr Meles was in hospital in Belgium, suffering from a stomach complaint.

But Mr Bereket was quoted as saying by The Reporter newspaper that opposition forces were trying to "create confusion" by talking about the prime minister's health.

He told the BBC Focus on Africa programme it was "not useful" to provide more details.

When asked who was in charge while Mr Meles was being treated, he replied: "The status quo is maintained - there is no change and there will be no change in the near future."

It is believed that Mr Meles' last public appearance was at the G20 talks in Mexico in June.

He took power as the leader of a rebel movement which ousted the communist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991.

He has won several elections since then, but his political opponents have accused him of using repression to retain power.

Waziri Mkuu wa Eithiopia Meles Zenawi Afariki?



PM Meles Zenawi

 UPDATE 8/1/12:  His death has not been confirmed:

Kutoka:
http://www.durame.com/2012/07/esat-meles-zenawi-has-died-at-age-of-57.html
ESAT: Dictator Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57

July 31, 2012 — Prime Minsiter Meles Zenawi passed away from an unspecified aliment in a Brussels' hospital, according to Ethiopian Satellite Radio and Television (ESAT) in its nightly raido broadcast.

Citing the International Crisis Group and western diplomatic sources for its claims, the Amsterdam-based news agency said the 57-year-old dictator's death is being covered up by the regime to buy time for a successor.

Meles has not been publicly seen in 40 days, fueling speculations that his health has deteriorated. During his absence, he has missed key events, including the two-day AU Summit held in Addis Ababa and a number of state visits.

Last week, unnamed European diplomats told the AFP and the Telegraph news agencies that Meles was in 'critical' condition and may not survive his aliment.

The other day, veteran fighter and Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front founder, Sehbat Nega, said Meles is still in a European hospital but is not sure to which country. This new uncertain claim comes two weeks after he said Meles would return within a few days.

Sources say a select few of TPLF bigwigs are in the know of Meles deteroriting health status. Even senior officials within the TPLF party are being kept in the dark to prevent a power struggle from within.

Talk of Meles' health troubles has Addis Ababa on edge. Recently, An Ethiopian court banned distribution of a newspaper that published front-page articles about premier's health on the grounds of endangering 'national security'.