Meles Zenawi´s Departure: Will the sun rise in Ethiopia?
Zekarias Ezra
March 02, 2009
Prime Minister Meles recently re-announced his desire to leave the post of PM while retaining the Chairmanship of his most powerful political party. On the basis of technicality EPRDF and its ardent supporters might argue that the two posts are different. Many of us would not accept such argument and rightly so.
To expect whoever is succeeding the PM to be a REAL PM on whom the executive power resides de jure and thus de facto is just a wish and a dream. This newly PM, whoever he/she might be, will simply serve as a fresh face to the outside world to help them justify their continued support to the government on account of their own self interest.
Depart or not from the office of PM, PM Meles intends to stay on ruling Ethiopia regardless. His fervent supporters abroad are on a mission telling us ´without PM Meles in power the fate of Ethiopia and its people will be endangered´. I am confident that the majority of Ethiopians ( I mean as high as 98%) would gladly take that chance in a heart beat if the offer of the PM departure is accompanied with the departure of his colleagues too.
Aside from all the talk of over 8% economic growth, we all know what has become of Ethiopia since EPRDF took power. Ethiopia has become a holding company to a few shareholders connected by ethnicity and by sheer greed and self interest.
So, will the sun rise in Ethiopia with the departure of PM Meles? It might if the PM and his party is removed from power. Is that achievable? Oh, yes, nothing is impossible for God!
To expect whoever is succeeding the PM to be a REAL PM on whom the executive power resides de jure and thus de facto is just a wish and a dream. This newly PM, whoever he/she might be, will simply serve as a fresh face to the outside world to help them justify their continued support to the government on account of their own self interest.
Depart or not from the office of PM, PM Meles intends to stay on ruling Ethiopia regardless. His fervent supporters abroad are on a mission telling us ´without PM Meles in power the fate of Ethiopia and its people will be endangered´. I am confident that the majority of Ethiopians ( I mean as high as 98%) would gladly take that chance in a heart beat if the offer of the PM departure is accompanied with the departure of his colleagues too.
Aside from all the talk of over 8% economic growth, we all know what has become of Ethiopia since EPRDF took power. Ethiopia has become a holding company to a few shareholders connected by ethnicity and by sheer greed and self interest.
So, will the sun rise in Ethiopia with the departure of PM Meles? It might if the PM and his party is removed from power. Is that achievable? Oh, yes, nothing is impossible for God!