Addis Ababa — The funeral of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will be held next Sunday at the Holly Trinity Cathedral, the National Funeral Service Organizing Committee announced.
Committee Chairperson House of the Federation Speaker Kassa Tekle-Birhan said that though many people are interested to attend the funeral, it is impossible to accommodate all, and only some would take part on the final day of the ceremony which will be held at the Maskal Square.
According to Kassa, only families, leaders and diplomats of different countries, sinior government officials, state representatives and groups who are considered to represent the community such as representatives of the private sector, students, universities, different organizations will only attend the funeral. Identification cards would be prepared to identify groups who would be attending the funeral which would be transmitted live, he added.
Kassa said: "Since the arrival of the Ambassador Mull Katende body, residents of Addis and those from the states are expressing their deepest sorrow at the Grand Palace and at state towns. We have given long time in order to let the people express their sorrow."
Kassa added that, the Committee has organized a programme throughout the country to enable citizens pay their tribute to Meles. On Thursday and Friday from 5:00 -1:00 p.m. a programme has been organized in which residents of Addis would gather at Maskal Square to say their final good bye to Meles. Residents of state towns would also do likewise. On these occasions, it is expected the people will reaffirm their commitment to realize what Meles aspired.
And on Saturday based on the request of different religious fathers, a prayer service will be held according to their respective religious doctrine.
Kassa further indicated that over twenty leaders have already confirmed their presence at the funeral and this number is expected to rise.
He also called upon every citizen to take head of the Committee's programme.
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The news of the death of our Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, is a sad news for all our peoples of Ethiopia in particular and the African continent in general. I can put a lot in black and white about his restless struggle from guerrilla to victory up on brutal regime and his struggle to alleviate the worst poverty of our country. To put in a nutshell, he brought an end to a racial dominance that, in the past one cannot be sure of his own country's citizenship, any one nation and nationality in Ethiopia, can now proclaim "I am Ethiopian" in his mother tongue. Regional states established sovereign in a way irreversible, the poor Ethiopians are on the road map of eating at least three times a day, a never ever seen expansion of education, accessibility to health, universal and best infrastructures developed, and his genius representation of Africa on international stages made his success a giant victory and an icon of his continent. This all led his people to be keen on him. He was a man to be recognized during his life time, but his party, EPRDF’s strategy do not give a room for a single person outshining, off course, his success is the success of his party and of the martyrs as the prime has ones witnessed in public his aim is not outshining. His enthusiastic vision against eradicating poverty is a great assignment on the forthcoming leadership. The only way for success ahead is, the party should support the coming leadership, as the head of the government for outright success with no conflict in succession to power and should legitimize the power is the power of the party. As the public unanimously mourned his death, it indicated a clear sign for the devotion to the party, and a clear warning for the opponents of Ethiopians, inland and abroad, thus the public's response should be recognized and needs due attention. My message is, let us join our hands tight to complete the Grand Renaissance Dam before schedule and name after him, "Meles Zenawi Grand Renaissance Dam", and put his image on one of the national currency notes for everlasting memory and inspiration of generation. Finally, I extend my condolence to all our peoples and friends of our country.REST IN PEACE!