Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Preparing to Step Down
Published on Tuesday 23rd June 2009Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi reaffirmed his readiness to leave his office, saying he wants to see a new generation of leadership in the post.
Meles says he wants to step down but the final decision will be made by his ruling party that has led the country for the last 18 years. However, he has not given a deadline for his departure.
During the last five months, Meles has insisted on his decision to step down, but his party colleagues and other supporters want to keep him in the post. The ruling party remains officially remains silent but party members have kept their outspoken chairman, Meles Zenawi, in his post despite a wider local and international criticism against his government's poor human rights record.
Veteran guerilla fighter and a member of the ruling party Ethiopian People Democratic Front (EPRDF) Tamerat Asgedom from northern Ethiopia's Mekelle town told the Nation that Meles Zenawi's departure is premature and he should be allowed to serve the nation for more one term.
"He is doing well on development and international affairs and we should not allow him to go" Tamerat said.
EPRDF office declined to comment on the issue and said the party central committee will discuss the issue and decide the way forward for the next August summit.
Ethiopian constitution allows the Prime Minster to stay in power for an indefinite period of time. Meles saying he is a soldier of his party and he want to convince his party comrades.
"I am arguing my case and the others are also arguing their case" Meles told Financial Times newspaper this week.
"I hope we will come up with some common understanding on the way forward that would not require me to resign from my party that I fought for all my life" Meles added.
Meles took over power from the militant Marxist regime of Mengistu Hailemariam in 1991 after 17 years of blood war. Meles hinted his plan to replace the older leadership who came to power through armed struggle with new blood.
The ruling party EPRDF has nearly 5 million members across the country and has been recruiting more members since last year. EPRDF now overwhelmingly dominates its political opponents.
Comments
meles zenawi
He is the most intellegent leader in africa regardless the bad record on human rights he have brought development to poor population of the coutry and he is one of the only five leaders in the world to have poor oreinted policy and it would be very sad to see him leave but i think it is the time. I think we should have an open ellection and the current system should be changed by a presidential system so that we won't see one leader in power for long time like the american system or like the old system that ethiopian system before he became prime minister and i just hope the country doesn't go in to another civil war for power. interms of young leaders i would like to see the former mayor of addiss in that power because he did an amizing job in mekelle and in addiss and i believe he have the potential to unite the country.
Ethiopia, primer decision is
Ethiopia, primer decision is attractive to show to this country about peaceful transsion of political power,i believe he is competant enough to the post but sometime his office has to end,this is approprite time.the problem is who is going to take his place,especially if we still will go with his party?????? no ---one,not at all.he made the party empty or the party it self was empty,no strong national opposition party in the country,in addition member parties in EPRDF may split due to their nature of locality and ofcourse narrow mindness or even extremist.May God bring the best for this country
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