Ethiopia: Power scramble after premier’s death puts fragile state on the edge
By Juma Kwayera Who is the Prime Minister? Aug 26, 2012, Nairobi (Standard) — Governing Ethiopia People’s Revolutionary and Democratic Front (EPRDF) faces an uncertain future following the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Ethnicity, as ever, is going to determine who takes over the reins of power. A week after Zenawi’s death was made public, the scramble for power has intensified with the members of the politburo of EPRDF said to be slugging it out, pointing to an imminent political turbulence or even a falling out. At the centre of the ensuing power struggle is acting Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, his predecessor at the Foreign ministry and ambassador to China Seyoum Mesfin and Zenawi’s widow Azeb Mesfin, who had been tearing into each other long before the fallen Prime Minister became indisposed. There are also prominent political figures in the governing party Zenawi had suppressed as he maintained a stronghold on power. Smooth transition Altho