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Ethiopian Prime Minister Dies
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57, state media say, after weeks of speculation about his health.
Mr Meles was admitted to hospital in July. The nature of his condition has not been made public.
The head of state and government in Ethiopia is the prime minister.
Speculation about his health began when he missed an African Union summit in Addis Ababa earlier last month.
He becomes the third African head of state to die in office this year alone. The first to go was Malawi’s Bingu Mutharika followed by Ghana’s Atta Mills who died a few weeks ago.
Mr Meles took power as the leader of rebels that ousted communist leader Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991.
Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who is also Ethiopia’s foreign minister, will be acting head of government, state television said.
“Even if Ethiopia has been badly affected for missing its great leader, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi initiated fundamental policies and strategies which will be further strengthened,” the TV said.
Three weeks ago, a government spokesman told the BBC that Mr Meles was in “a good condition and recuperating”, and dismissed reports he was critically ill.
The spokesman, Bereket Simon, declined to give any details about Mr Meles’ whereabouts or what he is suffering from.
At the time, there were reports that Mr Meles was in hospital in Belgium, suffering from a stomach complaint.
Posted by Editor
on August 21, 2012. Filed under AROUND AFRICA.
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Zeb Mpingannjira
August 21, 2012 at 1:36 pm
And he was only 57 years old, how come UPND cadres and their watchdog want us to believe those in their 50s like HH are immortal?????
We pray for their humanity and sensible reasoning, Meles, RIP!!!
Ichiselema chansele
August 21, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Atongoka chikala uyu?
HUNGRY HYENA (HH)
August 21, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Yaba too bad. If you are head of state and name starts with ”M” its like you are endangered….!
Mwanawasa; Mbigu; Mills; Meles; umhh, fyashala lundenipo….
Queen
August 21, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@Good observation Hungry-Hyna, Mugabe might me next……
MHSRIP ( incl all d departed M’s)
Game
August 21, 2012 at 5:31 pm
For u Government spokesperson…tell the truth when our presido is not well….noti ati private visit… Heeeeaaaarrrd me RIGHT
nyele
August 21, 2012 at 5:33 pm
M’M'M’M'….is that a trend…careful
Mosh D
August 21, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Malawi’s late President started with B as in Bingu not M as in Mbingu.
ABAKONZI
August 21, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Being president has become risky business.@ Hungry Hyena I think you are right,if you head of state and yo name starts with M(either first or surname) then too bad for you sir.By the way,how did TB Joshua miss this one because am sure he saw this one coming.Can the prophet which M is next.My Condolences to all ethiopians resident in zambia
Wanu Ngwee
August 21, 2012 at 11:55 pm
2012 NAYO YABVUTA NAMA HEADS OF STATE… GOD HELP US!
joseph mwale
August 24, 2012 at 11:06 am
That’s the way to go for these African dictators.