
Thousands of Ethiopians are attending the state funeral in Addis Ababa of country’s long-serving Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died last month. Meles Zenawi’s flag-draped coffin was carried in a procession from his palace to the city’s Meskel Square, where a solemn religious ceremony began. Dozens of foreign leaders and dignitaries, including at least 20 African presidents, w…

…ulation about his health mounted when he missed an African Union summit in Addis Ababa last month. Meles Zenawi took power as the leader of rebels that ousted communist leader Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991. He had dominated Ethiopian public life since the 1990s, as president and then prime minister. He was austere and hardworking, with a discipline forged from years spent in the guerrilla movement…

…Zenawi’s life and achievements. Thousands of people, including dozens of foreign leaders and dignitaries, attended Sunday’s funeral. The ex-prime minister died last month in Brussels after 21 years in power. The cause of the 57-year-old’s death has not been announced. Meles Zenawi was praised for bringing development to Ethiopia, which has long been associated with hunger and fam…

…wi’s last public appearance was at the G20 talks in Mexico last month. Meles Zenawi took power as the leader of a rebel movement which ousted the communist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991. He has won several elections since then, but his political opponents have accused him of using repression to retain power. …

…r, has been sworn in after the death of long-time leader Meles Zenawi in August Hailemariam Desalegn had been deputy prime minister and foreign minister. Meles Zenawi died last month in Brussels after 21 years in power. …