Argaw Ashine
23 June 2009
Addis Ababa — Ethiopian 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.
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This is just a game we know this guy. he will never leave unless he is forced to do so. the country is in big problem no food no water no light no foreign currency. the only thing EPRDF did was divide the people and make the country is land locked. Down with weyane.
Meles will never step down. He is trying to fool the west as he successfully did for the last 18 years. Next time he will tell the world that his party insisted that he should stay in power.
Mengesha
With his senseless and disastrous invasion of Somalia as a puppet of the US despite biting poverty in Ethiopia, all well-meaning Africans will celebrate Zenawi's exit.
It is positive step that the PM is willing to step down. The most important issue is not about one individual's resignation from office and replacement of another one of his kind.
The current government's constitution calls for the division of people along ethnic line. Ethiopians are fed up of this divisive regime. It is just a matter of time for this government to collapse.
Opposition parties should unite and be prepared to keep the unity and integrity of Ethiopia. Peaceful transition is required. Current government functionaries should be given the guarantee to leave office, live peacefully in Ethiopia and… [Read Full Text]