Legacy of Meles Zenawi

Ethiopia: Ethiopian Herald Editorial on legacy of Meles Zenawi

Ethiopian Herald Editorial

Meles was a person with world-class mind. He was brilliant, he was a relentless negotiator and an excellent debater

Three years have passed since we lost to death our great and visionary leader His Excellency Meles Zenawi, the former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. His 3rd year memorial is being observed across the country through assortment of events aimed at remembering and honouring the legacy of Meles.

Observing his 3rd year memorial, we Ethiopians pay tribute to the legacy of Meles, who had been a true and gallant son of Ethiopia. Since his young age, Meles had lived for Ethiopia and to the Ethiopian people. As a fighter, he fought gallantly against tyrants and along with his comrades brought about the demise of the brutal Derg regime. As a leader, he was a pragmatic and visionary leader, who led the country towards economic growth, political stability and good governance. He helped stabilize his country and placed it on the path of an unprecedented economic growth. As a leading politician, Meles established amicable diplomacy and bilateral ties with countries of the world. He demonstrated his strong personal commitment over many years to improving the lives of millions of people in Ethiopia and Africa. He was also an inspirational advocate for the causes and interests of Africa on international forums.

Meles along with his comrades paid a heavy sacrifice to usher in the era of democracy, development and good governance in Ethiopia. Thanks to the dedication and wise leadership of Meles, Ethiopia has enjoyed double digit economic growth for several consecutive years. Again, thanks to Meles' wise leadership Ethiopia becomes one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Meles played a leading role in the drafting and endorsement of the country's Constitution, which effectively ensured the rights of nations, nationalities and peoples' of Ethiopia. Meles' leadership also established a federal system of government that accommodates the diversity of Ethiopian people and protects the unity of the country. He was a committed leader, who did his best to transform Ethiopia to a growing democratic country.

Meles was also a true and passionate pan-Africanist, who advocated the cause of Africa in different international negotiations and fora. He determinedly defended the interest of Africa. With his energy, vision and fight for the achievement of a free and prosperous Africa, the late Meles was a force on which the African Union depended. He had a vision of building a new Africa, where unity, peace, security, growth and good governance are ensured. He indeed was one of the few African leaders who opted to struggle for the public cause rather than attending to their personal interests. Through their popular struggle Meles and his comrades created a new better condition for the people of Ethiopia.

The late Meles was a visionary person with high caliber, who devoted his entire life for the people of Ethiopia and Africa. We recognize the remarkable achievements of Meles that made us all proud Ethiopians and Africans. Friends and foes alike recognize and respect Meles as a person of principle and long vision. He was steadfast and always took a definite stand on issues of right and wrong and he was always on the side of right.

Meles was a person with world-class mind. He was brilliant, he was a relentless negotiator and an excellent debater, he was a thirsty consumer of knowledge, he was uncommonly wise, able to see the big picture and the long game, even when others would allow immediate pressures to overwhelm sound judgment. Those rare traits were the foundations of his greatest contributions. Be it economics, democracy, human rights, regional security or other foreign policies, he was consistently reasoned in his judgments and thoughtful in his decisions.

Meles had an all-rounded personality. He was the architect of the renaissance of our great nation-Ethiopia. He was a pan-Africanist, who advocated for and vehemently defended the causes of Africa. His wisdom, insight, farsightedness, intellect and dedication will be missed by many in the years to come. However, millions of Ethiopians have taken up the dreams of Meles to see a developed and prosperous Ethiopia, where peace, development, democracy and good governance are ensured.

Indeed, Meles struggled and suffered not in vain. As a person and a political leader he left behind a matured party, government and people, who are determined to carry on his vision. When Meles passed away, some bad wishers prophesied a dooms day scenario for the country; yet the institutions and the party he helped built proved themselves resilient to go through any difficulty and kept on meeting the national causes that Meles stood for. The incumbent government has repeatedly stated its steadfastness to press ahead with the development policies and strategies of the late Prime Minister Meles with more vigor and tenacity. The government has made it clear that all development initiatives of Meles will keep going forward, all the transformation plans will progress.

To conclude, while observing the 3rd year memorial of the late Meles Zenawi, we Ethiopians should renew our commitment to honour and sustain the legacy of Meles and realize his vision for peace, democracy, development and good governance.

Source: Nazret