Inauguration of the Meles Zenawi Memorial Foundation

Addis Ababa 6 April 2013 – The Meles Zenawi Memorial Foundation was launched today at a congress organized by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and held at the African Union Headquarters, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The congress served as a forum to highlight the ideas and vision of the late Prime Minister as well as chart a way forward to maintain and advance his Legacy.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Kassa Teklebrhan, the Speaker of the House of Federation of Ethiopia and Chairman of the Foundation Congress emphasized the need to understand and appreciate the late PM Meles’ philosophy in order to promote discussion and inspire the youth and future generations through the Foundation.

Echoing his words, the current Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AU, Ato Haylemaryam Dessalegn highlighted that “although transmitting the works of this amazing leader is a hard task” the main mission of the foundation should be to “Pledge the democratic works and development vision that he had in his lifetime and that he pursued without a moment’s rest.”

“This foundation is for one of the finest sons of our Continent; Late Meles was a husband, a father, a great leader, a visionary who was able to take a country which at one point was known for hunger and poverty and turn it into a country with the highest growth rate” stated Dr. Zuma, Chairperson of the AUC. “If he were asked what Africa should be like in 50 years he would say Africa should be a prosperous continent, a continent at peace with itself and an integrated continent … He is a panafricanist by excellence” added Dr. Zuma.

The Meles Zenawi foundation aims to pursue the developmental democracy and socio-economic renaissance initiated by the patriotic and pan-Africanist late Leader. Numerous Heads of States and Governments, distinguished delegates and family members attended the congress and expressed their sympathy and commitment to ensuring the continuation of the late PM Meles’ legacy and his pivotal influence within the Continent and beyond.

The Congress foremost reviewed, discussed and adopted the Working Report of the Legacy Committee on the establishment of the Foundation; Elected a new presidium composed of the nine (9) Ethiopian Regional State Presidents; Adopted the Agenda and elected the Foundations Board Members. The Congress further secured initial contributions by Uganda, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan totaling USD 3.8 Million.