USA already looks to post- Meles Indian Ocean Newsletter N°1326 11/02/2012
18/02/2012
”Some Ethiopian opponents are convinced that the United States may have
already begun to discuss the succession of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
The United States has already reportedly begun to check two options for what
could follow after Prime Minister Meles Zenawi: he could either rapidly
designate his own successor to prepare him for his role or he could
establish government of national unity before the end of his term. Such is
the belief of Ethiopian opponents who have had contacts with American
diplomats in Addis Ababa or in Washington. These diplomats have had talks
with the faction of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) headed
by Kemal Gelchu, with the Ginbot 7 group led by Berhanu Nega and with Daoud
Ibsa, the leader of another faction of the OLF who was discreetly invited to
Washington at the end of last year.
Several economic (higher inflation, rampant corruption) and political (the
recent sidelining of 300 officers including Tigrayan generals) factors have
led the U.S. officials to deem that Ethiopia is not immune to uncontrolled
social explosions, even if the EPRDF governing coalition has the situation
well in hand. Hence the idea that Meles Zenawi take the initiative to open
his government to some opponents such as Birtukan Mideksa or Seye Abraha,
who are currently undergoing training at Harvard University.
Failing that, the U.S. delegates reportedly suggested that Meles Zenawi
should plan the period after he is no longer in power and prepare his
successor, whether it be Tewodros Adhanom the current minister of health,
Arkebe Oqubay (advisor to the Prime Minister) or former Chief of Staff of
the Ethiopian army, the former General Tsadkan Gebre-Tensae who now works
for the UN in South Sudan. But Meles Zenawi is not believed to have favoured
either scenario.
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Received on Sat Feb 18 2012 - 09:30:53 EST
