Ethiopia’s Zenawi will back in office very soon, Minister
August 12, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s health is in good condition, improving fast and he will resume his official duties very soon, a top government official said Sunday.
Communication minister, Bereket Simon, told the Australian based Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) radio station that the Ethiopian premier will be back in office sooner than the Ethiopian New Year 2005, which will turn-in few weeks.
Ethiopia retains the Julian calendar and usually the New Year falls on September 11.
Zenawi has been suffering from an unspecified illness and is believed to be back in Addis Ababa after receiving successful medical treatment in undisclosed hospital in Europe. Government officials said he is currently taking sick-leave on recommendations of Doctors.
Speculation about Zenawi?s health gained momentum after the long-time Ethiopian leader failed to attend the Africa Union Assembly in Addis Ababa last month.
The last time he appeared on public is believed to be during the G20 summit in Mexico in June.
Exiled dissident web sites had been reporting Prime Minister suffered from cancer or a brain tumor, however the Ethiopian government has dismissed those claims as fabricated.
Other opposition news outlets have speculated that Zenawi might have died.
It has been over one month since Zenawi disappeared from the public life and the issue remains a topic of fierce debate in Ethiopia and the region.
The 57 year old premier assumed power after toppling former Mengistu Haile Mariam led Derg regime in 1991 and since ruled the east African state.
(ST)