Skip to content

Ethiopia’s despot surrounds himself with more puppets

Posted on , Updated on by EthiopianReview.com

In a cabinet reshuffle that is announced today, Ethiopia’s khat-addicted dictator Meles Zenawi has replaced TPLF veterans Seyoum Mesfin and others with puppets like Hailemariam Desalegn (photo on the right). Dumber than a {www:door knob}, Hailemariam’s only qualification is the speed with which he wags his tail in front of Meles.

The new 21-member cabinet puppet galore looks as follows:

Abdulfeta Abdoulahi Hassen, Minister for Labor and Social Affairs
Abdurahman Sheik Ahmed, SPDP, Ministry of Trade
Alemayehu Tegenu, Ministry of Water and Energy
Amin Abdulkadir, Minister of Culture and Tourism
Bereket Simon, ANDM, Minister of Communications Affairs
DebreTsion GebreMariam, TPLF, Minister of Communications and Information Technology
Demeke Mekonen, ANDM, Minister of Education
Desse Dalke, Minister of Science and Technology
Diriba Kuma, Minister of Transport
Haile-Birhan, ANDM, Minister of Justice
Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Junedin Sado, OPDO, Minister of Civil Service
Melaku Fenta, Director of Revenue and Customs Authority
Mekuria Haile, Minister of Urban Development and Construction
Manyazewal Mekonnen, Minister of Industry (replacing Girma Biru)
Shiferaw TekleMariam, Minister of Federal Affairs
Sinknesh Ejigu, Minister of Mines
Siraj Fegeta, Minister of Defense
Suffian Ahmed, OPDO, Minister of Finance
Tewodros Adhanom, TPLF, Minister of Health
Zenebu Tadesse, Minister of Women, Youth and Children’s Affairs

The cabinet is a rubber-stamp body as is the parliament. The real power is in the hands of  the 9-member TPLF Meles politburo, that has instituted and is in charge of an ethnic apartheid system in Ethiopia.

26 thoughts on “Ethiopia’s despot surrounds himself with more puppets”

  1. elias,
    thank you so much…and much more appreciaciations to you for describing meles and his tplf racist group new and former servants and puppets with the words that exactly fit thier duties….especailly you are killing me on your description of hailemariam the new puppet appointee for meles sytanawi ….woooo…elias you are not only a brave ethiopian and vibrant journalist but also a comedian……

    Hailemariam is “Dumber than a door knob, Hailemariam’s only qualification is the speed with which he wags his tail in front of Meles.”
    kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

  2. The thesis I forwarded in the article I published in the last two weeks on the possibility of replacement of Meles with not-TPLF PM seems to be in the making. This hypothesis has been today confirmed by the appointment of Hailemariam as deputy PM and ministry of foreign affairs. The unprecedented promotion of Hailemariam to this potion has nothing to do with his capabilities or commitment. The most important factor behind such move is that Meles has the intention of being replaced by some one from minority ethnic group. This is because such person will not likely to have any significant power base to challenge the dominance of TPLF and he will be willing to receive instructions from the TPLF inner network. By promoting Hailemariam as ‘competent ’leader in the next five years by the TPLF propaganda machinery, Meles will easily say he is submitting his power to the ‘new generation of leaders’. Thus, today’s appointment once again assured us TPLF’s art of manipulating state machinery with elites from minority ethnic groups. ANDM and OPDO will continue to have less significant positions like the presidency’ or the speakers of the legislature.

    http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/33350

  3. “Hailemariam’s only qualification is the speed with which he wags his tail in front of Meles”.

    Which qualification are you talking about?

    Dont mix-up truth with lies.

  4. This reshuffle will produce no change to TPLF’s hunger to stay in power for many years to come. At the same time the armed struggle that’s going on in some regions of Ethiopia will not stop as Meles made it clear in this reshuffle that his hand in power will not leave the stage for many years to come.
    The balance of power is Not fair and the oppression of individual freedom and the break up of rule of law continues, thousands of Ethiopians in Ogaden, Amhara, Oromia, Gambella are in jail for no reasons at all and with out prospect of seeing an impartial judge, what ever Meles does in his palace will have no change in battle grounds in Ogaden and elsewhere where ordinary Ethiopian citizens are fighting to get their freedom. Anyone who believes the the staged show in Addis today is crazy. Meles will only go away if all Ethiopians take arm against him and drive him away from Addis-ababa.

  5. selam,
    I beg to differ with your assertion about Hailemariam Desalegn” Dumber than a door knob, Hailemariam’s only qualification is the speed with which he wags his tail in front of Meles.”

    Hailemariam is way better qualified than any of the veteran EPRDF folks. Hailemariam is an Engineer(AAU Civil Engineering Classof 1988) with a Masters in Hydrology. He was Dean of the ArbaMinch Water Technology Institute when they recruited him to join EPRDF.

    We can question his collaboration with a bunch of idiots to run down his country, but he is far from “dumb”. I studied with him at AAU, he was a very well mannered and intelligent guy.

    Yes, I disagree with his current political affiliation but I do not thing such erroneous characterization will serve no purpose. Actually it is a disservice to all since it will lead to underestimating the opponent.

  6. selam,
    One more point; I am aware of the disparity of his background with his new post.

    I see in a different time and place Haile would make a good Water Resources Minister but Foreign Affairs is a stretch!
    But even there how can he do worse than Seyoum Mesfin?

    Oh, let us no forget Meles already said the primary criteria is loyality.

  7. Another script borrowed from Bush’s page where the uninteresting and the unfamilar would make the old seem better. Roland Regan chose cartoonish roadrunner H.W. Bush as his vice so that by comparassion he appears better, glamorous and effective. George H. W. Bush too it seems deliberately kept Clinton’s CIA head, George Tenet, as the fall guy with Iraq in mind. Meles and his core Woeyanes have for 19-years toyed with, not properly rule, Ethiopia.

  8. Even if TPLF cadres are controlling all the move behind these ministres, it is a positive development and inclusive than the previous cabinet.

    Well done PM Mellese

  9. The cause of Ethiopia’s ever compounded cursed and poisonous era is to be found back in 1974 when Ethiopians deposed a righteous leader and father – Haile-Sellasie. Even if Meles’ era is fast approaching it’s end, it does not mean Ethiopians are free from the malaise because of lack of national reflection as to what went wrong. There may be seemingly worldly and out of place individual sueccess here and there, but as a nation, we can not anytime soon regain the glory and blessing of pre-1974.

  10. selam Elias,
    Let me try again. Since my first attempt did not make it. My seconmd comment is meanigless without this background.

    I disagree with your characterization of Hailemariam as “Dumber than a door knob,Hailemariam’s only qualification is the speed with which he wags his tail in front of Meles.”

    First of let me say I disagree with his politics today and I detest his collaboration.

    My point is our opposition should be based on facts and principles. Hailemariam is not dumb, far from it- he is a highly intelligent person. Contrary to your assertion he has considerable credintials,he is way ahead of the veteran EPRDF leaders, in his competence and experience.
    Hailemariam is an Engineer with more than 2 decades of experience as a Technocrat. After graduating from AAU in 1988 (1980 Ethiopian) in Civil Engineering among the top 5 in his class, he joined Arba Minch Water Institute as an Instructor. After a masters in Hydrology he became the Dean of the Institute where he was recruited by EPRDF.

    Thanks

  11. #guest @ #3,
    what is your point? so you think having any background is good enough for foreign affairs ministry? or do you think just having any kind of degree is enough to take any job? in that case we didn’t need to specialize in anything do we?
    don’t waste your time; even your boss himself said that the only criteria for appointed positions is how loyal people are to his party!!!! this is from his own mouth so why defend him when didn’t need defending? that is how fast you guys wag your tails. LOL even when he doesn’t support you are there!

  12. Meles Zenawi is an amazing character. He has been a fixture in Ethiopian politics running it a plot of land in his back yard for 20 years. Ethiopia, rates, the poorest of the poor due to his and his yes-men-yes-women inability to govern. Now the revolving door is swinging one more time to recycle his yes-men-yes-women. Seyom and Girma and the others may be begging to be rewarded with foreign assignments. After all, it is the poor Ethiopian who foot the bill. Their children are alread in school in Kentucky attedning high schools and some attending elite universities.

  13. Hailemariam was the top student while at AAU (graduated in 1988)….He was awarded gold for earning a GPA of above 3.5) and he has a Master’s also. So what is you guys rumbling about qualifications? He can do any job. Let me ask you a question? How many Amharas had Bachelor’s when they are appointed to different ministerial position in Ethiopian history? It matters when it comes to minorities? ha….

  14. Becareful though when we insult every Ethiopian that is coming to power. There are lunatics who like Meles regime will deliberately ruin Ethiopia because they lead with emotion like also Mengistu than with wisdom. Even though they should be criticized for joining Meles regime. I am surprised they trusted other ethnicity to appoint. That being said, TPLF is still the drive force. Those who demoted are probably going to have a comfortable life, sitting down and amassing wealth while the rest is starving. Let us see who is the real Ethiopian who left the cabinet, be a hero and bring out the secret agenda of Meles regime. They won’t do it because they are taken care of well from the looting of Ethiopia’s wealth so they will be silent.

    Meles is trying to show he is a good person by appointing non Tigrayans and by freeing Birtucan. What does that tell us people? It means we really have embarassed the Meles regime during his visit at Columbia University. It means the Americans must have talked to him. Well, this is how we should be doing! Kudos to those such as ER who brought this positivity. I am convinced it is because the protest and we embarassed Meles regime’s American friends. The struggle must continue until TPLF is dismantled.

  15. Here is my predictions what is going to happen in Ethiopia in the next five years under tyrant Meles, what is yours?

    I have a feeling the next five years in Ethiopia is going to be the worst we have ever seen yet. It is going to be a show down of the TPLF thirty years plan we have never seen. We are going to witness extreme TPLF power abuse than ever before. War with Eritrea or military coup is going to happen. More looting of Ethiopian money and treasures will be in a mass. More land from Gondar and Wollo will be taken and more development in Tigrea province will continue. We will witness the independents of ONLF, OLF and the distractions of Ethiopia. And finally, Melese will unite Tigrea and Eritrea and be the Emperor of that Greater Tigrea. This is just a predictions, let’s hope and pray it doesn’t come true.

  16. #12 Your posting is leting us know you are not informed about Ethiopiaa politics.In modern Ethiopia as far as HIM’s time all ministers were educated anlike meles’s zenjeros.

  17. Brother Elias,
    Thank you for the list. From what I heard tonight from relatives back home about the new lineup, they all told me that this Desalegn thing is not only inept but also suffering from a deep-seated complex. We all know that you Brother Elias are fair and fraternal to every human race except to those individual goons like we have now as a prime minister back home. I will not be surprised if these die-hard Dedebit boot-leakers start calling you a racist now.

  18. Zeyeka! you are indeed a lier. You can support Hailemariam, but you cannot fool us. Yes Hailemariam is a dumb like a door knob. He waggles his tail like a dog when he sees his master Meles. Hailemariam may have masters degree, but never serve as an
    engineer for 2 decades. He serves as a woyane telalaki for 2 decades. He has no moral at all. Meles is using him as a telalaki. That is why Meles appointed him as his deputy. May be Mr Zeyaka, you are Woyane too, or from his tribe.

    Death for tplf and their buchiloch.

    Long live Ethiopia!!!

  19. Mr Elias,
    You think you got and you are the only guy with a solution for Ethiopia’s problem. Appointing Mr X or Mr Y to any government I don’t think requires your approval , what you are looking is pedgree appointees, mate that era is over.
    You locked skeleton in your cupboard. It is you who is wagging your tail to OLF and ONLF leaders to bring more destruction and meassery to poor Ethiopians and Plead with shabia and anti Ethiopian elements to supply them with armament. It is you and your likes who get a kick when Ethiopian soldiers get killed.
    This is not a time for War and destraction, Ethiopians choosed peaceful means to solve their country problem. Who ever is appointed that is Ok with true Ethiopians because they know it is good to have a government than otherwise.
    We dont need Ethiopia to be another Somalia where there is no law and order. We Ethiopians need one government and understand democracy can not be imported and grows in process.
    You are a man with little mind but big ego which is lifted by your own website and by saddist people around you.
    You think because you have a web site you have the magic to know every thing.

  20. The point is not whether Hailemariam has the qualifications for the position, but whether the Woyanes will select someone who will work for the interest of all Ethiopians regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion and region.

  21. to
    bliss says:

    Please don’t over estimate your self. You are nothing but a fool and no better than the frog that took a nap next to an eighteen wheeler which took off before the frog woke up and the frog conviced itself that the eighteen wheeler run down the street because it leaned on its tires. It was only because of luck that the frog was not flattened by the big tires could never understand this because it has little animal mind like yours.

  22. These Hodams are all those morons the TPLF people call “Shintam Oroms”, “Shintam Gurages”, “Shintam Amharas”, etc. The people call the weyane parlament the “Shintams Parlament”.LOL.

  23. selam,

    One point I failed to make in my earlier messages is calling someone “dumb” will not make him so. I do not think it will help the struggle either since it will lead to underestimating your opponent.

    Anonymous #12, your claim “Hailemariam was the top student while at AAU (graduated in 1988)….He was awarded gold for earning a GPA of above 3.5” is a big lie. He was a good student but not that good. The Gold for the top student of Technology Faculty in 1988 went to a fellow called Anteneh in Mechanical Engineering, the runner up was Awoke from EE. Hailemariam was a Civil Engineer.

    Aynalem, I did not lie. I clearly layed the facts of his career. I agree, technically he did not work as an Engineer even for a year. He started as an Instructor, Dean then Kilil President etc.

  24. Elias, i gave you a list of possible deputy minsters who are wielding real power behind the puppet ministers. Though the list was fictitious, it was made to make a statement. Your position is very contradictory. on the one hand, you agree with the majority of Ethiopians that Ethnic apartheid consisted of TPLF and its members exists in today’s Ethiopia. On the other hand, you do not post comments that are made to that effect. Your boldness to tell the truth with out polishing it was your hallmark. You used to call a spade a spade. i do not know what has happened but you seem to be more hesitant to call out the apartheid system for what it is.
    it is a system that glorifies and benefits people of tigrean origin. period. It is an ethnic apartheid system that is formed and supported by tigreans and it stands to benefit only tigreans.

  25. Well,it has been a great previlage to read to some of the comments that wss made by different indviduals regardig the new Melese’s cabinet members.
    Some of the comments I went through were labeling the cabinet members as ineffecient and a collectoin of “Yes men”.
    Others were attempting to convince that the team is good by puting some facts together for the selection. My sincere question is: would these people play the game fairly for the benifet of the Ethiopian peoples? I am very much skeptical for a number of reasons. Just to mention a few, starting with ineffeciency, lack of experiences and lack of confidence among other issues.
    o

Leave a Reply