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Ethiopia Mourns PM Meles Zenawi's Death

August 21, 2012

by Marthe Van Der Wolf

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late Monday of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.

Speaking at a news conference in Addis Ababa Tuesday, government spokesman Bereket Simon gave few details about Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's illness or where he was seeking treatment.

He said Meles had been struggling with his health for the last year and that his wife and children were with him at the time of his death.

“After 10 week medical services abroad [he] has passed away yesterday around midnight and his remains will be brought back to Ethiopia soon," he announced.

Meles Zenawi

• Born May 8, 1955 in Adwa, northern Ethiopia
• Suspended studies in 1974 to join Tigrai Peoples Liberation Front, TPLF
• Chairman of TPLF and Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front since 1989
• Led EPRDF rebels to seize power in 1991 and became president
• Prime minister since being elected in 1995
• Serves as African Union spokesperson on climate change
• Praised for helping lift Ethiopia out of poverty after civil war
• Criticized for silencing all forms of dissent
• Known as ally with U.S. against terrorism

Bereket told reporters Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hailemariam Desalegn will be sworn in as the new prime minister of Ethiopia.

"There will be no election as the constitutional proceedings allow us to continue with the deputy prime minister, acting P.M. for now and then he will take off in parliament," he said.

Meles Zenawi had not been seen in public since late June. The Ethiopian government dismissed speculations about the seriousness of his illness all this time.

Most citizens in the capital would not speak publicly about the prime minister's death, but said privately they hoped for a smooth transition of power.

Meles had been in power since 1991, after ousting the military regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam.

Ethiopia has declared a state of national mourning, but has not fixed a date for a funeral.