Zenawi hints retiring as Ethiopia PM

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has hinted at a possibility of quitting office.

The PM, however, said the final decision will be made by his ruling party soon.

Ethiopia is only 15 months away from the next election.

Mr Zenawi told journalists on Friday night in his office that he was debating with his party colleagues to quit the post he has held for 18 years.

“My desire is that I have had enough here and I have to move on. I want to leave this position without leaving the party as leader, but I have to respect the decisions of the party,” he said.

Since 2005, the PM has been sending conflicting messages about his continued stay in office.

The PM says he has dedicated himself as a “soldier” and cannot therefore leave office without the decision of his party, Ethiopian People’s Democratic Front (EPRDF).

“I cannot be a member of the party and not respect its decisions,” he argues.

Mr Zenawi, 53, joined a rebel group in northern Ethiopia Tigray in 1974 and led the 17-year guerilla war against Ethiopian Marxist military regime of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam.

He first became the chairman of EPRDF and then became the president of the transitional government, before becoming the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.