Meles Zenawi: King of the Horn

[PasserBy]

King of the Horn

 

Meles Zenawi was born in Adwa, Tigray in Northern Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian father from Adwa, Ethiopia, and a mother from Adi Quala,Eritrea.

 

Some University professors and renowned college administrators stated that Meles Zenawi was a very smart and gifted student. At a public Speech in George Washington University, vice chancellor of Open University said, "President Meles Zenawi was a brilliant student who achieved distinctions on every course he took." In July 2002, Meles has also received an honorary doctoral degree in political science from the Hannam University in South Korea.

 

Ethiopia: King of the HornMeles has represented Africa in several international forums and summits. Diplomats say he is one of the most intelligent, sharp and eloquent leaders in the continent. A Somali analysts who underlined Meles Zenawi's political, military and diplomatic maneuvering in the horn of Africa called Meles "the greatest strategist of the 21st century in Africa."

 

Meles Zenawi is married to Azeb Mesfin and is the father of three children

Foreign support was diverse; the Arab League, as well as Western nations, supported the EPRDF rebels against the communist Moscow-supported government (although the TPLF was at the time Marxist) at the height of the Cold War.

 

Meles Zenawi, just like previous Ethiopian governments wants Ethiopia to have a larger share of the Nile River. In order to end its decade long dependency on foreign aid Ethiopia needs to develop its irrigation system. The country has already lost millions of people to poverty due to its inability to use the Nile water which 85% of its water runs through Ethiopia.

 

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, has received various international awards for setting up a good foundation for the development of Ethiopia. Even though Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, the near double digit annual economic growth recently are seen as the beginning of Ethiopia's long marathon struggle to eliminate poverty. Acknowledging the rapid GDP growth of the country, the UK newspaper The Economist said in December 2007 that "Ethiopia's economy has been growing at record speed in recent years." In 2008, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described the speed of Ethiopia's economic growth in recent years as the "fastest for a non-oil exporting country in Sub-Saharan Africa", with Ethiopia ranked as the second most attractive African country for investors.

 

Although many opposition parties and parliamentarian critics disagree, some Ethiopians also portray the arrival date of Meles Zenawi's government, 28 May 1991 (Ginbot 20), as the "Birth of democracy" in Ethiopia.

 

While most diplomats and analysts say the country is slowly moving towards democracy.

 

Melese Zenawi has a very strong personality with regards to foreign policy. He knows very well what the diplomats command to their demand. If what they demand worth what they command, there will not be any problem. Couple of months ago as Obama administration came to power, it was a hell to Mr. Zenawi, (as he confessed few days ago in his interview). And, now Zenawi seems to be ready to go in Somali back again, “if the peace keeper demand his interventions”.(though the case seems to be “US America go ahead”). Which ofcourse, it is clear that things are smoothening between him and Obama Administration. The green light he got from Whitehouse will make Zanawi, King of the horn.

 

On contrary, Meles expelling non-influential diplomats seems to be creating shiver among westerns. His lenience is moving towards to developmental states (China, Brazil and etc.) Swedish diplomats were found to be kind of weak ones, who focused mainly on “Fair election and democracy requests” and may be on the discharge of Birtukan Mideksa and etc. without creating any significant influential investment, financial (economic support) as a treat. For Mr. Zenawi “tit for tat” is the best policy one should play to stay as a preeminent partner. Frankly speaking “Money talks”, otherwise, “Adios”.

 

Special to NewsDire

[PasserBy]

I don't know what the author is trying to get at, but the recent announcement from Zenawi that he will close the Swedish Embassy in Stockholm has more to do with what Nassir alluded to earlier on-Africa Oil-than pressure on democracy or political prisoners. I think Zenawi was pissed at Sweden for its plan to investigate Africa Oil on its business practices in Africa. The company is a major player in oil exploration in Ethiopia's O and other parts of the country.

[rudy-Diiriye]

thats definitely a rat

[NASSIR]

No doubt he is eloquent speaker. Just read his interviews with the Times and other major publications..

 

But I disagree with the notion that he is a smart leader.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Why would we care about his kingness, Mr Xabashi?

 

He should never forgot the generosity of Soomaalis by providing to him a Soomaali diplomatic passport and a nice villa back in Xamar in '80s. But then again what would we expect a Xabashi from. Xabashi is always a Xabashi.

 

(Don't even try to distinguish between an Amxaar politician and a Tigray one -- to me, both are Xabashis and avowed enemy of Soomaali unity.)

[SuulCawro]

Who is he? gabarey!!

[Ismalura]

King of the horn, my foot !

[Peace Action]

A little insignifant African dictator that will meet his demise soon 'cause he stayed too long.