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.
It had been nearly 2 months since the PM of Ethiopia had totally dissapeared from public view. In that time we heard a whirlwind of information regarding his wellbeing, from the extremely unassuring Bereket Simon and Sibhat Nega promising a fit Meles back in parliament before the Ethiopian New Year, to opposition media claiming he had died months earlier. Sadly, I was probably the only diaspora based Ethiopian without a "secret source" that could tell me for sure. But I can tell you the following:
MELES ZENAWI WAS A WALKER, NOT A TALKER.
HE WAS A FIGHTER, NOT A COWARD.
HE WAS A WINNER NOT A LOSER.
Meles Zenawi was a commoner, like you, me and Yosef the plumber. He wasn't born in some royal courthouse with 100 midwives and a red carpet. He wasn't honoured with the title ልጅ or ልዑል as a baby. I'm pretty sure they didn't slaughter 100 bulls to celebrate his birth.
He went to primary school in Adwa. At Nigist Saba school, academically exceptional, he finished grades 1-8 in just 5 years. He went to highschool in Addis Ababa at General Windgate and graduated to Addis Ababa University. According to those who knew him then, he was a bit of a nerd, sometimes got bullied, and built his circle of friends around football and and a profound love of reading. He was an extremely smart kid, but still just another of the boys.
In university, he decided to act. He knew his country was on a path to destruction. Instead of wait around and complain, he joined the armed struggle. At age 19 he left school with his goal of liberating his country. Abandoning his university studies in order to pursue the cause of an Ethiopia free of the racism and brutal bloodshed it was experiencing during the Derg era.
From A to Z, he was part of the 17 year struggle to overthrow the most bloodthirsty leader in African history, Mengistu Haile Mariam. From being a small group of teenagers from Tigray training with automatic weapons in Dedebit, they morphed into a disciplined efficient fighting force encompassing Ethiopians of all ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs and linguistic groups, which finally made that victorious march on Addis Ababa in 1991.
Accomplishing the task cost the lives of thousands of young men and women, brothers, sisters, parents and children. These warriors sacrificed themselves for the good of their country. Until this day their stories of heroism, and selfless deeds are told and retold at schools, and through cinema across Ethiopia. It was a horrible, horrible price to pay. But as they say "FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE." And Mama Ethiopia's would come at a very very dear and heavy cost.
Meles himself was named Legesse Zenawi at birth. He took the name Meles to honour one of his close friends and comrades who died fighting. It was as first his nom de guerre, but he would stick with it. He would later meet a fellow fighter named Azeb Mesfin, who would become his wife and mother of his 3 children.
He did it the hard way, the marathonesque and heroic armed struggle. The path of blood sweat and tears. With the aid of Ethiopia's poorest, suffering, starving, oppressed and persecuted. No shortcuts, no easy way out. The man never enjoyed the youth that boys in their late teens and twenties deserve to experience. He gave it to the cause. He spent it fighting at war fronts, then urging the youth towards the struggle at recruitment centers, then rallying points between various battle successes, then as a spokesman and negotiator for his forces. Finally he became commander in chief.
His many detractors, opponents, critics and "haters." Have never lifted a finger to even swat a fly from the eyes of a hungry child, let alone save Ethiopia. The monarchy which ruled Ethiopia for millenia, now exiled consists of hundreds of Ethiopians of royal descent living all across the world from London, Washington to even Beijing. The majority of these people being fiercely anti EPRDF, and bitter about the handling of the country's political and economical structure. Yet not a single one of them have shown a willingness to return and rally their people for their cause, let alone shed any of their blue blood for what they believe in.
While Meles and his force consisting of poor farmers, peasants, labourers and students from all across the country took on the mammoth challenge of fighting a soviet war machine, these relatives of some of African history's biggest figures have chosen to limit their "struggle" to empty rhetoric, insults, complaints with no plan of action whatsoever.
Unlike the foreign based critics who were too busy salivating over reports of Meles Zenawi's potential death, the EPRDF walked the walk and fought the fight where it counts most, in Ethiopia.
I have yet to hear of a single of these squacking diaspora based politicians who are willing to give up their comfortable lifestyle and go through anything similar for their people. Yet their rhetoric would convince any outsider that they are prepared to pour their blood for their beliefs. This empty bravado is simply tedious and boring. We have heard it time and time again over the past 20 years only at meetings in the States but as of yet, not in Ethiopia. Im sorry, but you don't have the intestinal fortitude to demean or insult him if you can't dare imitate him.
Once in power, he took over the world's most destroyed country in every sense of the world. Famine and civil war ripped the nation to shreds and by 1992, every major ethnic group had at least 1 rebel group fighting and killing for their right to freedom up to succession. The country was on the brink of total desintegration and collapse. Everybody was ready to declare self determination.
Meles Zenawi himself engineered the ethnic federation system that believe it or not, saved the fiber of our country from being shredded completely. For the first time in Ethiopian history, students could go to school not forced to learn only the Amharic language. One could learn to read and write in Afaan Oromo, Tigrigna, Sidamigna, and Somali. The ban and censorship of non Amhara cultures ended with Meles Zenawi's first major declaration of equality for the over 80 nations and nationalities of Ethiopia. Although not all were pleased, this system was satisfactory to the needs of most Ethiopians. Rebel fighters put down their weapons and started to work on rebuilding and fixing the nearly dismantled motherland. Many of us Ethiopians constantly pray with the timeless slogan "Ethiopia lezelalem tinur." But had it not been for Meles strategy we wouldn't have lasted as a nation beyond 1992. That was the year of the peak of rage of our oppressed. With tempers flaring and millions of our own dead, it took a supermind to decipher the labyrinth that hid the secret to our peaceful unity. Meles Zenawi is to thank for this. Not flag loving communist Mengistu, not pan African Emperor Haileselassie but that fighter from the mountains of Adwa named Legesse.
In 2010, with the surrender of a remaining ONLF garrison, we saw an Ethiopia free of any insurgency for the first time since the rule of Emperor Menelik. Free of civil war for the first time in over a century! That is beautiful.
Once freedom was achieved and a solution for the oppressed was found, the time came to start rebuilding our battered foundation. Without a doubt as Primeminister, Meles has shown his brilliance in his economic reform policies that have brought much change to our country. Double digit economic growth and a focus on job creation has turned Ethiopia into a shining beacon of hope on the continent. Ethiopia is still now the 3rd fastest growing country economically on the globe behind only China and India. Most fast growing countries credit oil or diamonds. In our case it was simply unity, hard work and good investment decisions. For those of you who believe these are just meaningless numbers, have a look at a few of the changes brought on since Meles took over as leader:
Ethiopians dependant on food aid 1990: 11 million (World Bank).
Ethiopians dependant on food aid 2011: 3.5 million (World Bank).
Number of cities and towns with electricity in Ethiopia 1990: 150 (EEPCO).
Number of cities and towns with electricity in Ethiopia 2010 : Over 5000 (EEPCO).
1990-2009 UN observed a 50% drop in malnutrition.
Primary School Enrolment was 30% in 1993, it reached 95% in 2007.
Never has such change in such a short time been seen in our country. Meles Zenawi has done more to modernize and equip our growing nation more than any other leader in our history.
Meles has also shown his skills in the international arena. Ethiopia was known as a dead poor nation with a fanatic hatred of the west thanks to Mengistu Haile Mariam's backward communist ideology. This time round Ethiopia focused on partnerships with everyone. Meles Zenawi was one of the only leaders to have full cooperative friendly relationships with leaders from both political sceptres, i.e Russia, China, India, USA and Israel. Because of this, he was frequently chosen by his African fellow leaders to represent the continent at world meetings and summits with the most powerful men on the planet. He was always known as a tough bargainer, an excellent negotiator with an extreme focus on the little details. His English language skills were also amazing and he constantly put foreign reporters to shame with a far more superior vocabulary and rhetoric.
Hence Meles Zenawi was known around the world as a great diplomat, an intellect, a man to consult with regarding anything African. He stood up for his continent, always proudly hosting the African Union summits in Addis Ababa while discussing with the utmost maturity and eloquence, the future of over 50 nations. He was always present at G8 and G20 meetings which shows the recognition he received around the world.
Meles Zenawi has always been a fighter. Under him, the Ethiopian Army has one of the strongest most disciplined armies in Africa. Unlike in the past days when our armies were busy fighting wars against liberation fronts, Meles used his diplomacy well, and our army has served peacekeeping missions with success and passed with flying colours. During Meles' tenure, the Ethiopian army has helped prevent bloodshed in Liberia, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi and DR Congo. That's millions of our African neighbours and brothers who are thankful that we came to them in their time of need. Another element of Pan Africanism in our main man.
His bite was louder than his bark though. Meles Zenawi was never one to back down from a fight after 17 years of guerrilla warfare. And when enemies came to defile our borders, we could count on our army to dispose of all threats. Eritrea will never forget the horrible mistake it made in invading and occupying Badme. After initial setbacks, our forces annihilated the enemy and to this day the Eritrean army is still demolished, that 12 years after the war in March 2012, they were to meek to raise a hand to stop our cross border raid. Somalia based Al Qaeda terrorists must be rejoicing today. Meles Zenawi was known for his hardline no nonsense approach to terrorism and Al Ittihad, Al Shabab, UIC and other freedom hating terrorist groups suffered so much death and sorrow at the hands of our troops that the image of Meles Zenawi haunts them even in death. Our territorial integrity was never jeopardized, not even an inch. Let history record that while the whole world was calling on Ethiopia to exit Badme, Meles Zenawi never bowed to their pressure. Meles Zenawi spent his life fighting war after war and never ever tasted defeat. Critics often snapped at him for keeping such a hardline approach to invaders when we are a poor nation. I'll never forget the quote he left for them in 1999:
"Territorial integrity, isn't a luxury for the rich alone."
One of his greatest feats he started will be left for us Ethiopians to finish. The Renaissance Dam formerly known as the Millenium Dam. That historical river that always teased us with it's mineral enriching ressourcefulness that we were cursed to only stare at. The mighty Egyptians upstream always threatening to attack us if we dared encroach upon their "God given rights" to full ownership of the Nile backed by a out of date colonial era treaty which Ethiopia never signed. All this while 85% of the Nile river water originates in none other than our Ethiopia. Haileselassie nor Mengistu never dared trying Egypt. But in 2010, Meles Zenawi said enough was enough and announced to the world we would proceed to build Africa's biggest hydroelectric powered dam to eliminate poverty. When Reuters asked about the surely to be enraged longtime owners of the Nile, Meles boldly went where no African went before with this historical reply:
"I am not worried that the Egyptians will suddenly invade Ethiopia. Nobody who has tried that has lived to tell the story. I don't think the Egyptians will be any different and I think they know that."
Meles Zenawi basically pointed a giant middle finger at Egypt's arrogance, at colonialism, at those who expected he would keel over. Even the Egyptians themselves were in shock at this declaration. Never has their military might been provoked verbally by a sub saharan state. But Meles' rallying call was the wake up for all Africans. In the months to follow, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo and other downstream African states saw the example set by Ethiopia and backed us with their signatures and vocal support towards our treaties and deals.
Once again Meles standing up for Pan Africanism and leading by example.
He will never see the completion of this project. But he kick started the route and pushed us a good length of the way. We owe it to him and to our nation to finish it. The dream of our ancestors to decorate our country with the jewel riches of the Nile, is finally after an endless wait bearing fruition.
This heroism of his puts him on par with some of Africa's greatest warriors.
To all those foreign based opposition cadres today who are cheering Meles' passing and celebrating like they've won the lottery: I would feel very miniature right now if I was you. A cockroach even. Your inferiority to this man cannot even be scaled. A coward dies a thousand deaths, but a braveheart dies only once. I believe that quote is attributed to William Shakespeare. Rest in peace Meles. Also I wish rest for the souls and dignity of all these diminutive cowards who have been buried a thousand times.
His neighbouring enemies are breathing a sigh of relief. On the East African chessboard, Meles Zenawi absolutely outplayed and figuratively left his opponents castrated. Meles Zenawi, Omar Al Bashir of Sudan, Issayas Afeworki of Eritrea, and Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid all came to power within the same time range. The three have all at one time or another collaborated to overthrow or dethrone Meles. 20 years later, Meles is known as an international icon of economic growth and an African embassador, while the 3 others who ganged upon him at various times in the past couple decades? Farah Aidid was known as a murderous warlord and would later be killed in a gun fight. Omar Al Bashir and Issayas Afeworki are both known as international pariahs and clowns. They were outplayed and left dumbfounded. Simply put, Meles has proven to have always been faster, higher and stronger than his enemies.
Meles Zenawi gave 38 years of his life first to freeing us from the horrors that communism brought us, then to creating an Ethiopia free of poverty. He will never see his dream be fulfilled. He will never see the completion of the dam, and that makes me sad, similar to the Biblical story of Moses, who God forbid to join his people in the promised land Canaan. He deserved to be at the ribbon cutting ceremony for this dam. He died too soon. We also forget he was only 57 years old.
But one thing you can be assured of, is that he has inspired the rise of many future heroes, heroines and saviours of Ethiopia. Endless more, who will finish the good work he started, and continue to give headaches to those who plot against us. Ethiopians will be mourning today, but back on that horse tomorrow to gallop towards glory. If he was alive now, he would demand it. I'm sure he would yell "GET BACK TO WORK! WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE! NEVER MIND ME!"
Easier said than done Mr. Primeminister.
I extend my condolences to his wife Azeb, his three children, his friends and family and to the peoples of Ethiopia and Africa. I will sign off this tributary after some farewell messages and words of admiration and remorse from some of the globe's influential leaders.
“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.”
US President Barack Obama.
"His personal contribution to Ethiopia's development, in particular by lifting millions of Ethiopians out of poverty, has set an example for the region. Our thoughts are with his family and with the nation of Ethiopia. He will be greatly missed."
British Prime Minister David Cameron.
"On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya, I convey our deepest sympathies to Meles Zenawi's family and to the Ethiopian nation. His leadership and negotiation skills will forever be missed across the region and Africa."
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.
"Meles 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.
EU commision chief Jose Manuel Barroso
All hail the chief
Rest in Peace Primeminister Meles Zenawi.
✝✝✝
1955-2012
Goodbye boss.
Im Zecharias Mengistu.
Long live Ethiopia
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