In Memoriam: Meles Zenawi

Learning about leaders from individuals who know them at personal level is indeed a rare opportunity. No different could the case of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi be. Although many analysts try to connect the dots and come up with their own best map of the legacies of the Ethiopian leaders, none seemed to have the benefit of personalknowledge.

Gold mining promises big boost for Ethiopia's development

Exploiting Ethiopia's gold reserves should increase exports and diversify the economy – if the industry is properly regulated

Thursday 30 August 2012

An engineer gives instructions to a drilling machine operator in the Lega Dembi gold mine in southern Ethiopia. The outlook for many people in Ethiopia seems less than bright following the sudden death of the prime minister Meles Zenawi last week, yet as far as the country's natural resources are concerned, the outlook is golden. Gold reserves could be a source of greater development for the country.

Photograph: Sven Dumelie

Orderly transition in Ethiopia, business ties with India to grow : Envoy

By Manish Chand

New Delhi, (IANS) There will be orderly transition in Ethiopia despite the the death of its long-time leader Meles Zenawi, the country’s envoy has said, and assured that robust business ties between India and the East African nation – India is the second largest foreign investor there – will continue and get even stronger.

በጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር መለስ ዜናዊ ምክር ያቋቋሟቸውን ኩባንያዎች ስራ አስፍቼ ቀጥላለሁ አሉ ሼህ መሀመድ ሁሴን አሊ አላሙዲ

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

አዲስ አበባ፣ ነሃሴ 23፣ 2004 (ኤፍ ቢ ሲ) በጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር መለስ ዜናዊ ምክር ያቋቋሟቸውን ኩባንያዎች ስራ አስፍተው እንደሚቀጥሉ የሜድሮክ ኢትዮጵያ ሊቀመንበር ሼህ መሀመድ ሁሴን አሊ አላሙዲ ገለፁ ።

Meles Zenawi with Rural People in Ethiopia

AfDB Approves $251 Million Loan for Ethiopia

Wednesday, 29 August 2012 -
African Development Bank approved a 251 million US dollar loan for Ethiopia. The two parties signed the loan agreement last Friday at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

From Meles’ Mouth

An eloquent leader, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was known for his persuasive and pointed speeches. One of the media savvy leaders in Africa, he was also one of the richly quoted figures. With his death officially announced on August 21, 2012, Fortune collected the famous quotes of the premier from different media outlets in an effort to recall his thoughts. Excerpts:



On the Ethiopian Millennium (September 11, 2007)

Throughout history, we have not been colonized by any foreign nation and hence we have always been the authors of our destiny: both our successes and failures.

President Obama telephones Acting Prime Minister Haile Mariam (Aug 28, 2012)

Following messages of condolence from US President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations, Susan Rice, President Obama also spoke by telephone to Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam on Thursday evening.

መለስ እንተ ሞተ እቲ ዓላማ ዘገደፎ ግን ሰረት አለዎ

ኣብ ዕለት 21.08.2012 ዘጋጠመ ሃንደበታዊ ሞት ጠ/ሚኒስተር አቶ መለስ ዜናዊ ንኹሉ ደላይ ሰላምን ምዕባለን ዘሰነበደ አጋጣሚ ኢዩ። አቶ መለስ አብ ዝሓለፈ 40 ዓመታት ኣንጻር ገዛእትን ጸቐጥትን ስርዓታት ብኣታሕሳስባን ብኣካልን ዝተጋደለ ሰፊሕን ነዊሕን ራእይ ዝነበሮ መራሒ ኒሩ። አቶ መለስ ብዘይተጎልባብነት ምእንቲ ሓቂ ደሰርሕን ብዘይ ሰክፍታ ርእይትኡ ዝገልጽን አቦ ሰላምን ምዕባለን ኒሩ።

ሕዝባዊ አሻራ ያረፈበት ታጋይ!!

ከታጋይ ሓዱሽ ካሡ ነሐሴ 19 ቀን 2004 ዓ.ም

ዓለማችን ክፋትና ደግነት፣ ሓዘንና ደስታ፣ ሰላምና ጦርነት፣ ልማትና ድህነት፣ የተደላደለና የጉስቁልና ኑሮ፣ ጨለማና ብርሃን ወዘተ የሚፈራረቁባት ናት፡፡ ቀንና ሌሊትም ስፍር ቁጥር የሌላቸው አስደሳችና አስከፊ፣ አንዳንዴም በፍፁም የማይገመቱና ለማመን የሚከብዱ ቅጽበታዊ ክስተቶች በየማይክሮ ሰከንዱ የሚስተናገዱባት ናት ዓለማችን፡፡
«የትያትር መድረኳ ዓለማችን» ዋነኛ ተዋናይ የሆነው የሰው ልጅ በየጊዜው የማህበራዊ ህግጋት የመለወጥ ብቃትና ችሎታ እንዳለው በተጨባጭ አሳይቷል፡፡ ሆኖም በራሳቸው ዑደት፣ ሂደትና የተፈጥሮ ሕግጋት የሚጓዙት የመወለድ፣ የማደግና የመሞት ክስተቶችን፣ የመጨመርና የመቀነስ አልያም ወደ ºላና ወደፊት የመመለስ ሃይል ግን ለሰው ልጅ በፍጹም አልተቸረውም፡፡

If Meles Didn't Exist, It Would Have Been Imperative To Invent Him

Something of a divine touch is sweeping across the nation. Something extraordinary is happening. Ethiopians are more united in his death than when he was walking here on earth amongst us.

Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn speaks to the press (Aug 28, 2012)

The Council of Ministers announced that Hailemariam Desalegn, as Acting Prime Minister will continue to lead the Council of Ministers. He will be sworn in as Prime Minister by Parliament after the funeral on Sunday.

Random Short clips from Meles Zenawi's Past

Why Kenya and the region will miss Meles Zenawi’s brand of leadership

The young medical student who joined the guerrilla war against the Derg — the Marxist junta of Mengistu Haile Mariam — in the 1970s as “Legesse” Zenawi returned triumphantly to Addis Ababa in 1991 as “Meles”, a nom de guerre he adopted in the trenches in honour of a fallen compatriot.

ሳያርፍ ያረፈው መለስ

SUNDAY, 26 AUGUST 2012

BY ZEKARIAS SINTAYEHU

ባለፈው ማክሰኞ ከእንቅልፌ የቀሰቀሰኝ ስልክ የተደወለው በጣም በጠዋት ነበር፡፡ የስልክ መልዕክቱም የጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር መለስ ዜናዊ ሕልፈት ሕይወት በኢትዮጵያ ቴሌቪዥን ይፋ ሊደረግ እንደሆነ የሚገልጽ ነበር፡፡ የኢትዮጵያ ቴሌቪዥን የ1፡00 ሰዓት የዜና እወጃው ላይ የዕለቱ ተረኛ ዜና አንባቢ በረጅሙ ከተነፈሰ በኋላ በርካቶችን ያስደነገጠውን፣ ያሳዘነውንና ታሪካዊ የሆነው የጠቅላይ ሚኒስትሩን ዜና ዕረፍት እንባ እየተናነቀው አነበበ፡፡

Opposition political parties express condolences over the passing of PM Meles

Addis Ababa, August 23 (WIC) -Opposition political parties operating in Ethiopia have expressed their condolences over the passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
The Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (MEDREK), the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) and Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) were among the parties that expressed their condolences on the death of premier.

Kagame honors Ethiopia's late PM with one-minute silence

Addis Ababa, August 24 (WIC) -In a move that surprised everybody, President Paul Kagame on Thursday asked all people attending a major function in Kigali to stand up for a one-minute moment of silence in honor of former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who died on Monday.

African leaders to attend PM Meles Funeral

Addis Ababa August 24/2012 Leaders of various African countries would attend the funeral ceremony of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi scheduled to be on September 2, 2012, ambassadors said.

Towns’ residents across nation vow to realize PM Meles vision

Addis Ababa August 24/2012 Residents of various towns vowed to realize the vision of the great leader Prime Minister Meles Zenawi as they express their grief over the sudden death of the premier in special programs organized in the respective localities.

Zenawi: The titan who changed Africa

Despite his influence in regional wars, Meles Zenawi was greatly respected by his peers [EPA]

At 23:40 local time, the Ethiopian prime minister was declared dead, the consequences of a mysterious infection that had international policymakers and Ethiopian citizens concerned about his health for weeks. The disappearance of the man who had ruled from Addis Ababa for the past two decades - having come to power through guerrilla war against the communist Derg regime - has unleashed speculation regarding likely successors and an internal power struggle inside the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Less attention is being paid to the regional fallout of the death of this African titan - though the consequences of Meles' demise for the future of millions of Africans could be profound.

Message of Condolence from the President of Kenya

(Aug 24, 2012)

Ambassador Sam K. Ongeri, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya met with Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Acting Prime Minister of Ethiopia yesterday (August 23rd). Ambassador Ongeri brought a message of condolence message from the President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki. The Foreign Minister reiterated the deep sorrow of the Government and the people of Kenya and said that they also greatly felt the loss experienced by the people and Government of Ethiopia. Ambassador Ongeri said President Kibaki and the people of Kenya had been shocked to hear of the death of Prime Minister Meles who had been instrumental in strengthening the relations between Kenya and Ethiopia. The Foreign Minister extends the support of the government and people of Kenya at this difficult time. He said that Kenya hoped to continue to pick up the Prime Minister’s legacy and continue to strengthen the deep relationship between the two countries and accomplish the work in progress between them. He asked the Acting Prime Minister to continue to ensure the continuation of the results already achieved and coordinate continuing efforts. Ambassador Ongeri expressed his confidence that the new leadership would carry on the vision of the late Prime Minister and ensure the transition would go smoothly. Acting Prime Minster Hailemariam thanked the Kenyan Foreign Minister for his support of Ethiopia at this time. He said the late Prime Minister Meles was a statesman and visionary; his death was a great loss for Ethiopia and Africa, but his legacy would continue. Ethiopia was committed to continue the policies and strategies set by Prime Minister Meles. Ato Hailemariam extended his thanks to the Government of Kenya on behalf of the government and people of Ethiopia, and he assured the Foreign Minister that Ethiopia was ready to continue working closely with Kenya to ensure that the achievements in Somalia and between Sudan and South Sudan would be maintained and expanded.

Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam receives condolence message from South Sudan

(Aug 24, 2012)

Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Acting Prime Minister of Ethiopia, yesterday received Mr. Nhial Deng Nhial, South Sudan’s Minster of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who conveyed a message of condolence message from President Saliva Kiir to the government people of Ethiopia.

Obama Speaks With Acting Ethiopian PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn (2011 photo)

August 24, 2012

U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Ethiopia's acting prime minister to promote "development, democracy, human rights, and regional security."

The funeral of Abune Paulos held

(Aug 23, 2012)


The Body of His Holiness , Abune Paulos, Fifth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Ichege of the See of St. Tekle Haymanot, Archbishop of Axum and Presidents of the World Council of Churches buried at St. Trinity Cathedral Church.

The funeral of the late Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi

(Aug 23, 2012)

The National Committee established to carry out the arrangements for the burial of Prime Minister Meles have announced that the funeral will be held a week on Sunday, on September 2nd.

More condolences from world leaders

(Aug 23, 2012)

More condolences are coming from world leaders and friends of Ethiopia on the sudden and untimely death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi last Monday (August 20). President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao,. Dr. Mohamed Moncef Marzouki,

Congressional Caucus on Ethiopia and Ethiopian Americans Statement sends condolence

(Aug 23, 2012)

The US Congressional Caucus on Ethiopia and Ethiopian Americans has expressed its condolences on the untimely and sudden death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, NY
August 21, 2012
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

I am profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of my close friend and cherished colleague, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. My family and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Azeb, and their children, and to the Government and people of Ethiopia. Prime Minister 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.

PM Meles Speech in Togo Lomi - 1991 E.C

The Speech is made by Mr. Meles defending Ethiopia's postion as the AU headquarter.

Remembering Meles Zenawi

webmaster@africanidea.org

August 21, 2012
Ghelawdewos Araia

As the maxim goes, with all the best intentions in the world some sorrow remains, and there is no doubt that the family and extended family of Meles Zenawi are in deep sorrow for his untimely departure. Before I delve into the remembrance notes I like to extend my condolences to Azieb (Gola) Mesfin and his children.

Foreign Policy: The Meles Zenawi I Knew

by Barry Malone

I once asked Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died on Aug. 20 from an unspecified illness at age 57, whether he was a dictator. He grinned and then, stopping, just looked at me.

More... Nervously, I did what a journalist should never do, and filled the silence.

"A lot of people call you that," I said.

He told me he didn't care much what foreigners thought and that the people who described him that way were rarely his countrymen. "If Ethiopians thought that I was what you say, I would not sleep at night," he said. "But I don't believe they do."

Life and times of Meles Zenawi (1955-2012) by Zecharias Mengistu

By Zecharias Mengistu

Life and times of Meles Zenawi (1955-2012)

It was somewhat expected. It was coming, yet it has still hit this nation like a flying brick. Primeminister Meles Zenawi has died. It has been confirmed by state...TV. It still seems somewhat unreal that he is no longer with us. Even during the last few months of his life abroad, I always felt he was still at his desk in Arat Kilo thinking up another plot twist in our country's tiresome lengthy yet winning battle against poverty. But it's time to accept he will no longer be there, he has departed from this world.

A great documentary on MR. Meles Zenawi Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn speaks to the press

(Aug 22, 2012)
The Acting Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, spoke briefly to the press yesterday (August 21st), for the first time about the sudden and untimely death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

Ethiopians mourn a great leader as his body returns home

(Aug 22, 2012)

Thousands of mourning Ethiopians turned out on Tuesday as Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's body arrived at Addis Ababa airport last night .A military band played as the coffin, draped in an Ethiopian flag, was taken from the Ethiopian Airlines flight, and the ceremony was attended by ministers, military and religious leaders as well as diplomats.

Reactions from Europe

(Aug 21, 2012)

The European Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, said that Prime Minister Meles was a respected leader who 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.

Presidents Guelleh, Mussevini ,Kibaki send condolence

(Aug 21, 2012)

President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismael Omar Guelleh, and President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Musevini and President of the Republic of Kenya ,Mwai Kibaki have sent letters of condolences to President Girma Woldegiorgis, and Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn following the news of the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

AU and IGAD send condolences on the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

(Aug 21, 2012)

The African Union Commission in a statement issued today (August 21), expressed its heartfelt condolences on "the untimely passing away of Ato Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia" adding that

Meles Zenawi's death: African leaders' reaction (Aug 21, 2012)

Aug 21, 2012



African and other leaders have been reacting to the news that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57. South African President, Jacob Zuma, described Meles' death as "an absolute tragedy for Africa and the people of Ethiopia to mourn such an exceptional leader who contributed as an active role-player in various continental and global initiatives".

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi passes away

NEWS
(Aug 21, 2012)

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, passed away at midnight, (August 20th) due to an illness  for which he had been receiving treatment abroad for the past two months. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was a visionary leader who dedicated his entire life to the fight against the brutal military Derg regime and then to the battle to lift the people of Ethiopia out of poverty.  As the head of the executive for the past 21 years, Prime Minister Meles was not only a leader who led his country into a new chapter of development, peace, and democracy but a  person who will always be remembered as a champion of the cause of Africa in international fora.  The Council of Minister said “Meles was Africa’s apostle of change”. It said “the loss the far-sighted great leader Meles is not only a loss to Ethiopia and Africa, but also to the world.” The statement said Ethiopia had “started seeing light at the end of the tunnel through the projects of peace, democracy and development developed through Meles’s great leadership”. It added: “we shall only be consoled by our commitment to bring to end what Prime Minister Meles started in his years of leadership.” The Council of Ministers has announced that in accordance with the constitution Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will continue to lead the Council of Ministers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Prime Minister Meles and to the peoples of Ethiopia. The Prime Minister's body is expected to return to Ethiopia this evening. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Belaynesh the first Ethiopian-born Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia

Israel’s Ambassador presents credentials (Aug 16, 2012)

Israel’s newly appointed Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Belaynesh Zevadia presented her credentials to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, today (August 14). The Deputy Prime Minister, who noted that Ethiopia and Israel’s historic bilateral relationship was excellent, said the appointment of Ambassador Belaynesh the first Ethiopian-born Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia, was a great opportunity to raise the relationship to an even higher level.

Indonesia extends support to Ethiopia’s GTP: Ambassador

(Aug 17, 2012)

The Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ramli Saud, said in a press conference on Thursday (August 16th) that Indonesia would be extending support to Ethiopia’s effort to realize the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP). Indonesia is celebrating its 67th year of independence, and the Ambassador paid tribute to the historical contribution of Ethiopia to the independence of Indonesia.

Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, passes away (Aug 16, 2012)

8/17/2012


His Holiness, Abune Paulos, Fifth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Ichege of the See of St. Tekle Haymanot, Archbishop of Axum and one of the seven serving Presidents of the World Council of Churches passed away today (August 16) due to an illness for which His Holiness had been receiving treatment for over the past week here in Addis Ababa. Abune Paulos was born in 1935 in Adwa woreda of Tigray region, and entered the Abba Garima Monastery as a young boy to train as a deacon, eventually taking monastic orders and being ordained a priest.

Ethiopian Airlines today became the first airline in the world outside Japan

8/17/2012

Ethiopian Airlines today became the first airline in the world outside Japan to fly paying passengers on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The carrier entered the aviation history books today at 12:50 p.m. ET, inaugurating passenger service on the jet around 1:30 p.m. with a special flight from Washington Dulles to the carrier's hub in Addis Ababa. Today's flight comes just two days after Ethiopian officially took delivery of the first commercial jet to be made from carbon fiber construction instead of more-traditional aluminum and steel.

Ethiopia Ranks Second in Africa in London Olympic

Sunday, 12 August 2012
The country got all the three gold medals by its female athletes while its male athletes failed to get one. Out of the total seven medals the women claimed five.

Ethiopians lost their final hope of getting gold in men’s marathon at the concluding day of the London Olympic 2012 when the unexpected Ugandan Athlete Stephen Kiprotich won the country’s second-ever Olympic gold medal.

Meles is in regular contact with Thabo Mbeki over the issue of Sudan, says an official

8/10/2012
The prolonged absence of Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia’s usually hyperactive prime minister, has sparked a covert succession struggle at home and prompted fears farther afield for a future without one of east Africa’s diplomatic and security linchpins.

Government officials say Mr Meles, who has not been seen in public since mid-June, is recovering from a serious illness, but they deny opposition rumours that he is dead or dying at a hospital in Brussels.

Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brewed Up by Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Cafe Colucci at SF Chefs

Hiwot Tadesse makes coffee, the Ethiopian way

It's 10am and I'm part of a crowd in the middle of one of the Financial District’s temples to the caffeine-fueled lifestyle. But instead of jittery office workers gulping their lattes, I see an incongruous cultural scene for a downtown java joint. Flanking the gleaming espresso bar, a raised platform is strewn with long grasses and bright yellow flowers, set with baskets, carved wooden boxes and trays of tiny white cups. Just like the mothers and grandmothers of many generations have done before her, a lovely Ethiopian woman in an embroidered dress stirs a pan of coffee beans over a blue flame, while aromatic curls of incense waft across the room

Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines unveils B787 Dream Interior

8/7/2012


Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines unveils B787 Dream Interior

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is proud to unveil the special features of its B787 Dreamliner. The airline will be the first outside Japan to receive the Dreamliner on 14 August 2012. The Dreamliner applies breakthrough technologies of the 21st century and takes passenger comfort and overall travel experience to a whole new level.

8 Ethiopian sites are inscribed on the UNESCO/World Heritage List

Ethiopia ratified the World Heritage Convention on 6 July 1977

The Inscription of Aksum on the World Heritage List
Aksum’s archaeological site was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1980.
The ruins of the site are highly distinctive and spread over a very wide area, including stelae of imposing height, an enormous table of stone, vestiges of columns, and royal tombs inscribed with Aksumite legends and traditions. The giant stelae include the largest monolith ever carved by human hands. The stelae are unique creations. As masterpieces of human creative genius, they qualify Aksum for inclusion on the World Heritage List. As an urban ensemble, the site was inscribed as featuring testimonies to cultural, architectural and technological developments which illustrate a significant stage in human history. Elements of the site are consequently of outstanding universal value from the historical, artistic and scientific points of view.

Ethiopian Airlines to Receive its first Boeing 787 on August 14

Press Release
8/6/2012

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that it will take delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner on August 14, 2012, in Seattle, Washington.


Ethiopian Airlines to Receive its first Boeing 787 on August 14


Ethiopian is proud to be the first airline from Africa, Europe, Americas and Middle East to take delivery of the Dreamliner, and to be able to offer its passengers the ultimate travel experience on-board this game changing aircraft before other carriers. “The fact that we are the first airline outside Japan to receive this ultra modern aircraft is an affirmation of our continuing pioneering role in African aviation. It is also a testimony of our commitment to give our passengers the best possible travel experience, with the best industry products and services.,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian.

Nile Hurdles-- By Dr Kinfe Abraham

Psycho- Political Roadblocks to an Agreement and the Way Forward Toward a Rapprochement



By Dr Kinfe Abraham

Team Ethiopia London 2012 Long Distance Events Preview

Ethiopian athletes have taken five of the six gold medals on offer in both the men’s and women’s event in the last three Olympic Games and anything else has become unacceptable for Ethiopians who have come to define gold in this marquee event as a minimum return for their passionate following of the team.

Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh
In the last two years following injuries to 2008 double Olympic champions Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia’s vanguard event and success has been threatened by sparing success from Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot, who took the 5000m and 10000m double at the world championships in Daegu last year, and Britain’s Somali-born European double champion Mohammed Farah, who after years of mediocrity has established himself as one of the athletes to watch out for in both men’s events.
Both Cheruiyot and Farah will again be hoping to claim major Ethiopian scalps this year, but they will face a resurgent Ethiopian team with both Dibaba and Bekele returning from injury to lead the squad over the 5000m and a crop of young stars emerging in the men’s 5000m, perhaps a timely answer to calls by fans for fresh faces in Ethiopia’s major championship squads.