It is increasingly looking like Mr. Meles Zenawi will quit in 2015. And, still wants to play behind the scene (according to his words ‘I will still serve EPRDF after resignation’). However, Melese looks like contemplating about his words (“resignation”) to journalist. Nevertheless, nobody cannot determine what would happen by then (@ 2015. Because, We (Africans) do have a lot of tricks like Museveni, changing the constitutional right to be nominated again. Infact, Ethiopian constitution doesn’t limit the premier period. His supporter’s looks like to be disappointed for his words to resign. But, for the one that is suspicious like me after looking the surroundings with his pictures, billboards & T-shirt printings holding Mr. Zenawi’s pictures, seems to be a kind of technique to hold him for his endless power. Besides, Mr. Zenawi is a good friend of Uganda’s Museveni. Both, Zenawi and Museveni came to power using weapons. They, both did not see any one before leaving his premier to the successor.

Insiders say Meles is busy picking loyalists among Tigrean successors. Previously, It was assumed that he will pick, the young and handsome, Arkebe Equabay. But, he was expelled from the loyalists list, because, his fragility lenience did not please EPRDF strong communist backups. Now, looks Meles set to anoint another, one name is coming up again and again the current Minister of health, Dr. Tewodros Adhenom, who got most of his education in Asmara. Dr. Tewodros was one of the best contestant of EPRDF election contest at 2010 Election(if we called it election). However, Nominating Dr. for the position will bring a question of ‘Why is that always Asmara linked people are leading this country?’

There is also another speculation that Meles might go for other partner parties in the EPRDF, to pick very strong personality for the benefits of the party interest. If from the Oromo parnters in the form of the Oromo People Democratic Party, the front runner would have been Girma Birru. The fear is that this guy was highly involved in the previous Ethiopian regime, the Derg, at a ministerial position. And; mightn’t follow their interest afterwards. According to the TPLF politburo, some of the qualifications that made Girma Birru the most favored candidate are that he has no affiliations with any Oromo opposition political party and has no nationalistic sentiment like many OPDO members. His long resume has also convinced the communist gangs that his involvement with Derg and later on with TPLF is driven by personal and material gains rather than any political ambition. Unless there is a drastic change in Girma?s behavior and affiliation. And; still moving forward to other candidates is the weighted outcome every body would like to see. The controversial part seems to be the “Amhar’s candidates” , for one, they are not competent to take the seat, second, TPLF members are not ready to give the seat to “Amhara’s”, their worst nightmare they wouldn’t dare to play with.


If Girma takes the seat; TPLF members, who basically have taken every key position in the current government may brought another confrontation among themselves. Many people believe that even among the TPLFs, Meles's choice of Dr. Tewodros (a more academic than political person) ahead of the highly rated intellectual would be the best start for retirement.

The other important factor most leaders forget while they are in power is “the retirement procedure to their predecessor.” Because, most leaders donot want to go back where they came from (to their poor family). Once, Mr. Zenawi, talked about that atleast he will not be starved again like he was at the jungles.

So, What should be recommended to the retired.

• The Former leaders should be protected from being accused by the successors.
• Their living conditions together with their families should be well organised by the administration of the successor.
• Their security protection shouldn’t be forgotten.
• Their VIP accommodation shouldn’t be compromised.
• etc. etc…………

Foolish political game lime Zambia’s, Chiluba attempted to deport Kaunda on the grounds that he was a Malawian wouldn’t guarantee stability of a country. Protecting others is protecting yourself. Protecting predecessor is protecting the successor. Otherwise, you will harvest what you have planted earlier. Coming back to our foolish games, Former president, Dr. Negaso retirement procedures retired immediately, right after his departure from EPRDF membership.

NewsDire Contributor