From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Sep 09 2009 - 09:26:17 EDT
Ethiopia PM to seek one more term
By ARGAW ASHINE, NMG correspondent in Addis Ababa Posted Wednesday,
September 9 2009 at 10:08
In Summary
* The 54 year-old former guerrilla leader was convinced by party
members to stay on.
* Ethiopia's next general election is scheduled for June 2010.
Ethiopia Prime Minster Meles Zenawi will seek for a new five-year term, his
ruling party announced on Tuesday.
The 54 year-old former guerrilla leader, who has been in power for 18 years,
was convinced by party members to stay on.
The Ethiopian People Democratic Front (EPRDF) council underlined that the
Ethiopian people and his party need Mr Zenawi for one more term at the end
of a two day annual gathering.
"Meles is playing a key role in transforming Ethiopia...." EPRDF said in a
statement.
In recent months, EPRDF's chairman Zenawi has said he plans to go in 2010 if
his party accept his resignation.
The council extensively debated on the issue and agreed to keep Mr Zenawi in
office for one until 2015.
Ethiopia's next general election is scheduled for June 2010.
The PM has increasingly become a champion of African in international
forums.
However, at home he is accused of a poor human rights record and oppression
against opposition politicians and the media.
Last week, Mr Zenawi was elected to represent Africa in the climate change
talks in Denmark, Copenhagen.
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