One week ago, after the announcement of the prime ministers passing, his coffin arrived from Brussels and was carried to the palace. Many people had turned up to see the late prime ministers last journey and mourn his passing. It was late, dark, raining and cold. Holding umbrellas, candles and playing traditional music, the Ethiopians waited patiently. A sense of serene distress fills the air, people are talking about how this was a good, hard working man and that they hope for a good future. After two hours of waiting, many candles have burned out, some people have returned to their homes, yet many still remain to witness the car carrying the late leader slowly pass by. There is now a wave of sadness filling the streets, the women are crying and the men are chanting: "the brave one has passed." A trail of people follow after, visibly stricken by grief.
The next morning I am awoken by a text-message from the government: “As we mourn the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi we, Ethiopians, being united, have to double our effort to fulfill the democratic and developmental objectives laid out by the Ethiopian Government.” I wish the country of Ethiopia and her peoples the best of luck on the road to a new, bright future.
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