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A war unwon

Prime Minister Meles is more admired abroad than in his own country

Premier Meles Zenawi looks distinctly fragile. Things were going pretty well after he last year successfully faced down his critics in his own Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) of which the TPLF is a crucial component. He won plaudits from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank and even emerged from the two-year war with neighbouring Eritrea looking like the victor. Yet just like his neighbour and former friend, President Issayas Aferwerki (AC Vol 43 No 7), Meles has been gravely undermined by the war. He faced big trouble on 13 April, as soon as the International Boundary Commission released its findings (accepted in advance by both sides) on the border....

(This article contains approximately 1347 words)

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A war unwon

Prime Minister Meles is more admired abroad than in his own country

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