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By Seble Teweldebirhan
Ethiopian Government Communications office says Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is in a good health condition and he will be back to his post in a few days. In a press conference today at the government communication office, Government Communication Affairs Minister Bereket Simon denied the speculations that the PM is terminally ill.
“He recently had a health problem that needed professional attention. In that respect, he has been given the necessary medical treatment. At this point, his health condition is very good. His doctors advised him to take some rest and stay away from his day-to-day activities,” Bereket told journalists.
He stressed the cause for his illness is a workload the PM has shouldered for the last several decades. The ambitious Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) and the recent continuous international conferences he has been attending have contributed for his exhaustion, according to the Minister.
“He has been exhausted from decades of continuous workload and responsibilities. On top of that, for the last few years, we have been trying to implement the ambitious GTP plan in all sectors. That required non-stop commitment. In addition, the PM has been participating in several international conferences. He has been traveling and attending meetings and workshops without rest. Usually, when he gets back from his international functions, he immediately goes to his office and resume his work. That is the kind of person the PM is. That created a visible exhaustion,” Bereket said.
The PM, 57, has a record of being active in the politics starting from the age of 17, the time when he joined the gorilla fighters. He also has a record of hard work and commitment among his officials, which might be the main factor for his dominance in the ruling party.
As a result, Berket said that the PM has been exhausted for quite some time and that caused his illness. “I can tell you that he is in a very good condition. We are hoping to have him back in a few days after his rest. I cannot tell you the exact time he will resume his work, but I am sure it is very soon,” he said.
The Minister also rejected the speculation that the PM has a brain cancer. “He does not have a brain cancer. I cannot specify his illness, but it is caused by exhaustion,” he said.
The minister also said that there would be no power transition because of this incident. “He is still in charge and he will not cut his stay in office short. EPDRF has a schedule for power transition at the end of this five year and, until then, the PM will stay in office,” he said.
The Minister did not mention the whereabouts of the PM, saying that he is at a place where he can get appropriate treatment for his illness. However, he declined the speculation that the PM has been receiving treatment for the last ten years. “He did have a check up now and then, just like any of us. His illness was caused recently and we hope it will go away soon. He never had a serious illness before this,” he said.
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Seble Teweldebirhan is Addis Ababa based Reporter for Ezega.com. She can be reached by sending email through this form.
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