Ethiopian Evangelical Church mourns prime minister

August 23, 2012 | Web First
By Fredrick Nzwili | Ecumenical News International
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

The leader of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church has urged citizens to observe peace, love and tolerance as the country mourns the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The Rev. Wakseyoum Idosa, the church's president said in a message to ENInews on Aug. 23 that Zenawi's sudden death on Aug. 20 had put the entire nation and the African continent into great sorrow. "[Zenawi] also played a critical role [in making] different religious institutions live together in harmony and peace."

Zenawi, who was 57, died in a Brussels hospital after a long illness. He took power in 1991 and became prime minister in 1995.

Although he had been criticized over issues of human rights and political pluralism, Zenawi was credited for improving the country's economy and opening a once-closed society to the world. He had become an important international and African figure, mediating the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan, and attempting to bring peace in Somalia.

"The PM has kept the rights of religious organizations according to the constitution of the country and also gave a positive response for the various requests the religious leaders have been presenting to him.

"He also supported and encouraged their work in the areas of development," said Idosa, whose church is a member of the Lutheran World Federation.

"Our country has lost a great leader but we have his unfinished work with us. It is expected from all of us citizens to continue and bring to completion his vision and plans of promoting peace, harmony and development," he said.

Ethiopians also on Aug. 23 marked the funeral of Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and president of the World Council of Churches, who died last week.

--Aug. 23, 2012

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

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