Meles Zenawi Quotes

Meles Zenawi Asres was an Ethiopian politician who was the 7th Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 to his death in 2012. From 1989, he was the chairman of the Tigray People's Liberation Front , and the head of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front since its formation in 1991. Before becoming Prime Minister in 1995, he served as President of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995.In 1975, he left Haile Selassie I University to join the TPLF and fight against the Derg, . After the overthrow of the Derg's military government, he became President of the transitional government and later Prime Minister. Meles lifted his country from the ruins of civil war and transformed it into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies Wikipedia  

✵ 8. May 1955 – 20. August 2012
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Meles Zenawi: 6   quotes 0   likes

Famous Meles Zenawi Quotes

“If it is presumed that the Kenyans will democratise in order to eat the peanuts of development assistance from the European Union… it would be a big mistake.”

Meles Zenawi's reaction to European threat of sanctions on Kenya, as quoted in "Western world cannot impose democracy in Africa: Ethiopian PM", AFP, 25 January, 2008.

“.. countries pretend their foreign policy is based on democratisation when this is clearly not the case. For all the challenges in Zimbabwe, for example, it is a bit of a stretch to say it is less democratic than some of the sheikhdoms of the Gulf. But none of the sheikdoms has a problem visiting Europe.”

Meles Zenawi's response about European sanctions and travel ban on Zimbabwe's Mugabe, as quoted in Simon Tisdall, "To Ipmose Democracy from Outside is inherently Undemocratic", The Guardian, 25 January, 2008.

“I have never heard of any convincing reason as to why we should privatize land at this stage.”

Part of PM Zenawi's controversial reply to Dr. Abdul Mejid Hussien, as quoted in Interview—“I have never heard of any convincing reason as to why we should privatize land”

“I am proud to be an Ethiopian. I am proud to be a part of that history.”

Meles speaking to American intellectuals about Ethiopia and its history, as quoted in Harold G. Marcus, "A Breakfast Meeting with Prime Minister Meles", Michigan State University. 20 October, 1995.

“Africa's downfall has always been the cult of the personality. And their names always seem to begin with M. We've had Mobutu and Mengistu and I'm not going to add Meles to the list.”

Meles Zenawi, as quoted in Jonathan Dimbleby, "Ethiopia proves there can be life after death", The Guardian, 28 July, 2002.

“We believe the problem between ourselves and Eritrea will have to be resolved through dialogue, but it takes two to tango.”

On the border dispute with Eritrea, as quoted in "Troop massing designed to send message to Eritrea- Ethiopian PM". Sudan Tribune. 19 March 2005.

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