User:Jethro B/Zenawi

Political leaders, states and institutitions offered their thoughts on Zenawi following his death.

• Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Zenawi's "exceptional leadership" and noted his "important role in the ongoing negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan, the Millennium Development Goals and climate change."
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement that read: "[Netanyahu] presented his condolences to the Ethiopian people. Zenawi was loved in his country. He was also a true friend of Israel. During his mandate Ethiopia became one of Israel's closest friends."
• Prime Minister David Cameron called Zenawi "an inspirational spokesman for Africa" and commended "his personal contribution to Ethiopia's development, in particular by lifting millions of Ethiopians out of poverty."
• President Barack Obama released the statement: "It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. Prime Minister Meles deserves recognition for his lifelong contribution to Ethiopia’s development, particularly his unyielding commitment to Ethiopia’s poor. I met with Prime Minister Meles at the G-8 Summit in May and recall my personal admiration for his desire to lift millions of Ethiopians out of poverty through his drive for food security. I am also grateful for Prime Minister Meles’s service for peace and security in Africa, his contributions to the African Union, and his voice for Africa on the world stage. On behalf of the American people, I offer my condolences to Prime Minister Meles’ family and to the people of Ethiopia on this untimely loss, and confirm the U.S. Government’s commitment to our partnership with Ethiopia. Going forward, we encourage the Government of Ethiopia to enhance its support for development, democracy, regional stability and security, human rights and prosperity for its people."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added that while she was "deeply saddened," and admired "the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to transforming Ethiopia’s economy and to expanding education and health services," she also exclaimed "that Ethiopia will peacefully navigate the political transition according to its constitution." She added that Zenawi's "personal commitment" was a benefit to the economy of Ethiopia as was "his role in promoting peace and security in the region, while further nothing that the interest in "regional security" was unchanged.

• Union Minister Jairam Ramesh of India released the statement: "He was easily among the most outstanding of political leaders I have ever met anywhere. It was at Copenhagen that he really emerged as a very effective and sensitive spokesperson on environmental and climate change issues." The State Department's Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson said: "Whether one was a friend or critic of Mr. Meles. The consensus around Africa is that Africa has lost one of its greatest intellectual leaders. No question there was a need for greater democratisation [and] yes, more work needs to be done in that area."

An unnamed official also added that his death "does not affect policy in the short term, [but] there are a number of unknowns."

• IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde released the statement: “Among his many achievements, Prime Minister Meles was instrumental in raising economic growth and reducing poverty in Ethiopia. Prime Minister Meles was also a powerful spokesman for Africa on the international scene.”
• Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates released the statement on Twitter: "Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was a visionary leader who brought real benefits to Ethiopia’s poor. Our thoughts are with his family."
• South Sudanese Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin released the statement: “It’s a very, very sad day for the people of the Republic of South Sudan and the people of the East African region as a whole. This has been a tremendous nationalist leader, a president who had always let peace come to his neighbours.”
• The People’s Republic of China released the statement: "The Embassy is deeply saddened and stricken to learn of the unfortunate passing away of H.E. Meles Zenawi, Chairman of EPRDF and Prime Minister of FDRE... On this moment of difficulty, the Chinese Embassy wishes to express to the esteemed Council our deepest sorrow and condolences for the loss of the great leader of EPRDF and Ethiopia."
• Yemen President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi released the statement: "The death of Mr. Zenawi is not a loss of only Ethiopia but also of the region and Africa as a whole. We, in Yemen, will not forget his leading role in the formation of the Sana'a Forum. On behalf of the Yemeni people, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the people of Ethiopia."
• South African President Jacob Zuma released the statement: “South Africa has always seen Ethiopia as an anchor state and a leading country in the Horn of Africa region. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had been a strong leader, not only for his country but on the African continent, acting as mediator on numerous talks, particularly in the Horn of Africa region.”
• European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said, "Prime Minister Meles was a respected African leader. He demonstrated his strong personal commitment over many years to improving the lives of not just his own but all African peoples, through his work on African unity, climate change, development and in promoting peace and stability, particularly in the Horn of Africa," while also expressing, "I sincerely hope that Ethiopia will enhance its path of democratisation, upholding of human rights and prosperity for its people, and of further regional stabilisation and integration."
• Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair released the statement: "It is with great sadness that I learned of Meles Zenawi's death. He was a hugely significant figure in Ethiopia's history, in particular helping guide his country from extreme poverty to an era of economic growth and development. My deepest condolences go to his family and the people of Ethiopia."
• Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations released the statement: "I am profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of my close friend and cherished colleague...Meles leaves behind an indelible legacy of major contributions to Ethiopia, Africa, and the world. His loss will be greatly felt in so many places in so many ways. The Prime Minister's decades-long commitment to Ethiopia's development and his tireless efforts to liberate his proud people from famine, poverty, and disease stand as testament to his leadership and vision."
• French President Francois Hollande commended his "contribution to diplomatic efforts to advance peace in the Horn of Africa."
• Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, has this to say about Zenawi: "Mr. Zenawi had a friendly attitude toward Russia and did a great deal for the development of our political, trade and economic relations, both with his country and the African continent as a whole. And I think that his death is a great loss both for Ethiopia and Russian-Ethiopian relations in general. Meles Zenawi dreamt of turning this forum into Africa's 'Davos' and saw Russian-Ethiopian relations as an important factor of stability on the continent. Mr. Zenawi's death is untimely, and I am confident that his productive ideas will live on and will become a reality."
• Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that Ethiopia "made more progress in education, health and economic development under his leadership than at any time in its history."
• Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie praised Meles Zenawi's achievements- See link: http://www.ectv.org/2012/08/haile-gebrselassie-on-the-death-of-meles-zenawi/
• President Omer Al-Bashir of Sudan stated that Zenawi was a "brave, wise and prowess African leader who led his people on a path of prosperity."
• President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania released the statement: "Tanzanians have received with shock, sadness and extreme grief reports on the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi. On behalf of the people of Tanzania, the government and my own, I am sending heartfelt condolences to the people of Ethiopia, the bereaved family, relatives and friends. We are together at this difficult time of deep sorrow and mourning. Ethiopia has in deed lost a good leader, committed revolutionary and visionary. Africa has also lost its great and eloquent spokesman at international forums."
• President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria released the statement: "He was a great African statesman, who is also a friend of Nigeria, a nation-builder and a great servant of the Ethiopian people. Prime Minister Zenawi will be remembered for his vision and integrity. He held strong convictions about establishing a just and prosperous society for his people, a cause to which he devoted his considerable energies, and which deservedly earned him respect and honour among a grateful Ethiopian nation. The passing away of Prime Minister Zenawi at this time when Ethiopia and, indeed, all of Africa, stand to benefit from his wisdom and experience in building a stable and prosperous continent is a great loss that will be hard to remedy."
• Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan released the statement: "Ethiopia under Meles had played a key role in both the region and the African continent. I hope that his successor will continue to be a driving force on a wide range of issues, from brokering peace negotiations to shaping development relationships."
• President Michael Chilufya Sata of Zambia released the statement: "The economic strides Ethiopia has achieved over the years can be attributed to Mr. Zenawi’s illustrious and selfless dedication to public service. Prime Minister Zenawi will also be remembered for his tireless efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, even in the midst of turmoil. It is also under his chairmanship of the NEPAD heads of state and government orientation committee of the African Union that he greatly contributed to bringing greater visibility of Africa’s potential as a pole of growth in the new world economic order."
• Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping released the statement: "The Commission will remember late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi for his exceptional contribution to the advancement of the objectives of the AU and the promotion of Africa’s interests in global fora. In particular, Prime Minister Meles played a critical role in furthering the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), whose Implementation Committee he was chairing. He also presided over with competence and utmost commitment the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). The death of Prime Minister Meles has robbed Africa of one of its greatest sons. On behalf of the Commission, the Chairperson wishes to extend to the Government and people of Ethiopia, as well as to the bereaved family, his deepest condolences, and to convey to them AU’s sympathy at this trying moment."
• Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed, "We will always remember his valuable contributions to the improvement of Turkey-Ethiopia relations."
• Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi released the statement: "I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, head of the Ethiopian government and a great friend to Italy. Prime Minister Meles led Ethiopia out of a difficult period, personally shouldering the task of fostering economic progress and institution-building. Thanks to his undeniable and widely recognised leadership, Ethiopia has become a point of reference for Africa and is today acknowledged as one of the continent's most important political actors thanks to its steady economic growth, earnest commitment to resolving regional crises and broad international recognition. Over recent years the international community has witnessed Ethiopia's essential contribution to resolving the crises in Somalia and Sudan, an effort that earned Italy's solid support. Italy, at this moment of condolences and reflection, is closer than ever to Ethiopia in a spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation."

Other tributes were given by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, Cameroon President Paul Biya, President of Chad Idriss Deby Itno and many more.

Western NGOs Amnesty International called for the new administraion to end Zenawi's "ever-increasing repression" and Human Rights Watch similarly added that the next administration should repeal the 2009 anti-terrorism law. As the New York Times asked about a gap between the United States of America's strategic and ideological goals in relation to its support for Zenawi's government, it quoted HRW researcher Leslie Lefkow as saying: "There is an opportunity here. If donors are shrewd, they will use the opportunity that this presents to push a much stronger and bolder human rights stance and need for reform." Author Dan Connell, who had interviewed Zenawi in June, said that "he seemed focused [then] on wrapping up a number of major projects as if he were aware the end was near. Meles knew his days were numbered." The Committee to Protect Journalists cited and criticised the secrecy around Zenawi's death. The Washington Post said that the "circumstances of his death remained laced with intrigue."

Regional groups responded with the Ogaden National Liberation Front saying it hoped his death "may usher [in] a new era of stability and peace" and Al Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage adding “The death of Meles was uplifting news for Somalis, we wish Allah will punish him for what he did to our people.”