Ethiopia’s acting prime minister is meeting with diplomats in Addis Ababa to assure them the country will have a smooth
transfer of power.
Hailemariam Desalegn was named acting head of government this week after longtime leader Meles Zenawi died Monday at the age of 57.
Ethiopians are still awaiting word on when Hailemariam will be formally sworn in. Parliament was set to install him on Wednesday but the session was canceled.
A government spokesman said Ethiopians wanted more time to mourn Meles, who led Ethiopia for 21 years. The late prime minister’s funeral is scheduled for September 2.
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Hailemariam late Thursday. The White House says Obama pledged continued U.S. partnership with Ethiopia, and urged the acting prime minister to – in the words of a statement – “enhance the Ethiopian government’s support for development, democracy, human rights and regional security.”
Under Meles, Ethiopia has been a strong ally in the U.S. war against terrorism, but was criticized for oppressing the media and political opponents.
On Tuesday, Communications Minister Bereket Simon rejected concerns about a power vacuum resulting from Meles’ death. He says the country’s leadership is united and the government is as “strong as ever.”
Hailemariam had served as Meles’ deputy since 2010.
Source: VOA News
Tags: Addis Ababa, Meles Zenawi
Bertu
August 25, 2012 at 10:13 am
Dear President Obama:
Although I contributed the maximum to your campaign in 2008; went door to door to campaign on your behalf and help organize the first time voters (Ethiopian Americans) in a critical swing state, you have been the pinnacle of failure when it comes to Ethiopia’s policy. After your hand fed ruthless dictator Meles Zenawi died 3 days ago you said:
“It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. Prime Minister Meles deserves recognition for his lifelong contribution to Ethiopia’s development, particularly his unyielding commitment to Ethiopia’s poor. I met with Prime Minister Meles at the G-8 Summit in May and recall my personal admiration for his desire to lift millions of Ethiopians out of poverty through his drive for food security. I am also grateful for Prime Minister Meles’s service for peace and security in Africa, his contributions to the African Union, and his voice for Africa on the world stage. On behalf of the American people, I offer my condolences to Prime Minister Meles’ family and to the people of Ethiopia on this untimely loss, and confirm the U.S. Government’s commitment to our partnership with Ethiopia. Going forward, we encourage the Government of Ethiopia to enhance its support for development, democracy, regional stability and security, human rights, and prosperity for its people.”
Do you realize how much hurt and insensitivity your words carry to the 90 million Ethiopians who have endured unspeakable crime in the hands of this man? Imagine the most hated man in Ethiopia parallel with Mussolini and Pol Pot being praised the way you did about Meles Zenawi. Even by the continent’s standard, You have helped in underwriting the most undemocratic system of governance known to Africa. I urge you to read this most compelling article ever written about The West’s dramatic hypocrisy in praising Ethiopian tyrant.
You and all the shallow leaders of the west who failed to understand the asset in combating terrorism which lies deep in the century-old Ethiopian tradition, mastering the art of peaceful coexistence by followers of all Semitic religion. It is no surprise that you failed to secure such asset of a nation to mitigate terrorism in the region by insisting democratic governance. Instead, driven by your myopic strategy you chose to align your interest by standing behind a Marxian dictator utterly despised by his own people just like Gadhafi and Saddam Hussein. While he was alive this man, which you brag about as a deserving leader never walked or seen among the Ethiopian people whom he considered to be his eternal enemy .
http://www.abugidainfo.com/index.php/7227/
Thank you Thor Halvorssen and Alex Gladstein and Ana Gomez for your defining voice for the most majority of Ethiopians. We will never forget you.
May God Save Ethiopia.
Bertu
Aklilu
August 25, 2012 at 10:11 am
well! It is imposiable weyane can full power to transfer to any one . Mr Haile-mariam desalenge is a symbol as is Mr Germa (president). Now weyane have big deception game by putting Mr. Haile-mariam as Prime minister. Behind the curtain will work these Seven comitte. By the way Mr hailemariam also a brutal dictator who masacred the south ethnics hadiya ,kambata and so on. one of my friend from South told me how was a conflict with ethiopian ambasador in France. Mr new to be Prime monster is a criminal as Meles
Daniel
August 25, 2012 at 8:06 am
I’m so disgusted by so called western countries and inclluding united states incluiding Obama for supporting TPLF/Meles a minority aprthied system. This is insulting the intelegenece of majority ethiopians by creating a fake economy growth and development to support this ruthless dictator who has no any humanity. Any ways my fellow ethiopain opressed people just forget this drama and just focused on your struggle to dismantle this ethnic parthied system btw this so called civilized western countries once they were supporters of the old south african aparthied system.
Meles Banda
August 24, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Why Obama talk with Hailemariam, it is difficult to trust him, once he strengthen fascist Meles b/s of fighting terrorism, esp in Somalia. Meles just fighting terrorism just to get help from westners/US to establish concrete foundation to cling in to power. But Meles is not here, God removehim from Ethiopia. Now Obama loses two things his friend get rid of Meles from Great Ethiopia, a country of Black lions! And Obama also loses trust from Ethiopians. My question is why Obama is a king maker? B/s USA is rich country and has huge sum dollars, Obama tried to establish his own puppet government? Pls President Obama, where does go your extra ordinary brilliancy? We as a human being atleat need freedom….We have had enough of domestic king maker like Sibhat Nega! President Obama do you know Sibhat? If u have time Sibhat will tell you how he established concrete democracy and fiction typeconstitution. Sibhat will tell you the culture of EPDRF/Woyane not the culture of the people of Ethiopia. Bereket will tell you to drive the people of Ethiopia, just know the culture of Woyane which has been and will be the basis of the new revolutionary democratic Ethiopia. O do you know such type of democracy? If so, go ahead with Hailemariam even his name similar the father’s name of fascist Mengistu. If not, pls be the side of the people of Ethiopia!!!
Tazabe
August 24, 2012 at 1:47 pm
TPLF is preparing to sit for a major ‘gimgema’ in the satellite organizstions (ANDM, OPDO and SEPDM) right after the burial of terrorist Meles. The main goal is to evaluate the extent of mourning of the members by the death of tyrant Meles. Those who have not shown high degree of grief will be purged or demoted. The members are therefore doing their level best to be seen soaked in tears and crying out at the height of their voices to score points. Some of them are keeping records by taking pictures and video footages themselves while crying and grieving in case they need them to defend themselves during the planned ‘gimgema’. All this drama is performed from the playbook of North Korea and other countries where there is absolute dictatorship.