Will Prime Minister Meles Zenawi run yet again for a fourth term of office, come national elections in 2010?

The Prime Minister has given conflicting signals to various audiences: He has been telling the foreign media that he "has had enough" suggesting that "this is likely to be my last term", yet he has indicated to an audience on the local front that he is merely a soldier of the EPRDF and the ultimate decision lies with the party.

In an exclusive interview with Fortune last week, this latter assertion was strongly reiterated by his Special Advisor on Public Relations, Bereket Simon: "He's a loyal solider and an exemplary leader of the party," Bereket stressed. "He'll be deployed to any work the party would like him to do."

The Special Advisor pointed out that it is the party that decides on the fate of its members and the leadership does not believe that the Prime Minister should step down as he has yet to complete his job.

"He's a lot to do and he is capable of doing a lot more," said Bereket.