Earlier reports had today claimed that the leader was dead. But Ethiopian Government has refuted the reports. Authorities said Zenawi was not critically ill as reported but he had been to hospital.
A Spokesman at Ethiopian embassy in London was quoted as saying Zenawi was in stable condition after a hospital treatment. The spokesman said the leader had been visited by a top level government delegation but would not say where he was hospitalized.
The controversy surrounding Zenawi’s health came to the public limelight when he missed the African Union Summit held in the country’s capital Addis Ababa. His absence further fuelled more rumours following his health status.
Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Hailemariam Desalegn represented the ailing Prime Minister in the African Union Summit. However, Desalegn did not deliver the key note address schedule for Zenawi.
The Deputy Prime Minister has been representing the Premier in all official meetings since his health began deteriorating. The Head of Government Communications Affairs Simon Bereket earlier said that the PM was not suffering from brain cancer as people had speculated. Bereket added that the PM had been advised to take a medical leave by his doctors.
In two separate media conferences organized by Bereket’s office, Bereket made it clear that Zenawi’s health was stable but declined to respond to questions seeking key information including his whereabouts. He said that the Prime Minister needed professional attention and that it was being provided by his doctors.
Posted by Carol Kang'ethe
