Acting prime minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn was introduced as deputy prime minister today at the late dictator Meles Zenawi’s funeral by the TPLF junta officials, while foreign leaders such as South African president Jacob Zuma and South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit addressed him as ‘acting prime minister.’ Head of the U.S. delegation, Amb. Susan Rice, also addressed him as ‘acting prime minister.’
When Meles’s death was announced on August 21, the TPLF junta’s propaganda chief Bereket Simon had stated that Hailemariam has taken over as acting prime minister. A couple of days later, the parliamentary meeting that would formalize his appointment was abruptly called off.
This is one of the first major signs of the ongoing campaign to deny Hailemariam the prime minister’s position by some factions in the ruling party, including Meles’s wife Azeb Mesfin.
By the way, where was ‘President’ Girma Woldegiorgis? He was no where to be seen during the entire funeral proceeding.
Also, Susan Rice’s speech was so disgusting that it was hard to watch. She is a damn liar.