Local Ethiopians Watch and Wait

Ethiopia  suddenly has a new president.  The longtime leader of the nation, Meles Zenawi died earlier this week after an unspecified illness.   The Ethiopian parliament held an emergency session on Wednesday to select the country’s new prime minister.

Zenawi had been praised as a visionary leader who positioned Ethiopia to gain power and influence in the horn of Africa and on the world stage.  He has also been condemned as a strongman who violated human rights and quashed dissent.

There is an Ethiopian community in Minnesota.  They share news and information through the KFAI program Voice of Ethiopia on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.  Ahmed Wassie is the host and he talked with KFAI’s Paul Brohaugh about the tumultuous change of leadership and how it looks to Ethiopians in the Twin Cities.