Brussels BELGIUM, 28 August 2012/ ACP: The 79-member African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States conveyed its solidarity with the government and people of Ethiopia after the death of the late Prime Minister H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi on August 20, 2012 at age 57.

ACP Secretary General H.E Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas expressed condolences to the interim Head of Government,Acting Prime Minister H.E. Ato Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, as well as to the late Prime Minister’s widow Mme Azeb Mesfin and his immediate family.

“The late Prime Minister was an African leader with a vision, passion and commitment to the advancement of his country and Africa; an eloquent spokesperson and advocate on behalf of many African causes. He leaves behind an imprint which will remain for years to come,” said the Secretary General.

According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the late Prime Minister will lie in state until the official funeral ceremony to be held 2 September in Addis Ababa’s Mescal Square.

Meles Zenawi was President of Ethiopia from 1991-1995 and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic from 1995 until his death in 2012.

(Photo: Late Prime Minister, HE Ato Meles Zenawi/ Daily Mail Zimbabwe)

– ACP Press