African leaders speak of PM Meles’ achievements

Addis Ababa, September 2 (WIC) - Leaders of various African countries praised PM Meles Zenawi for his remarkable contribution for his country and the African Union AU.

Boni Yayi, President of Benin and current Chairperson of the AU said the late PM Meles managed to put Ethiopia among the fastest growing economies in the world.

PM Meles was fully supporting African Union's efforts to ensure peace, security and good governance in the continent, Yayi said.

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, on his part lauded PM Meles’ achievement in various sectors citing the economic growth and ongoing electricity infrastructure as a case in point.

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, PM Meles registered a remarkable achievements that made Ethiopians and Africans to be proud of him. “His legacy for us does not lie in the past but in the future,” he said.

“PM Meles was uncompromising where the interest of his people is concerned,” President Kagame added.

South African President Jacob Zuma on his part said, “20th of August 2012 was a sad day on the calendar of AU and Africa as we lost one of the greatest sons of Africa.”

President Zuma added that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was part of the G8 and G20 mainly because of the size of his ideas.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, on his part said Prime Minister Meles was a truly visionary African leader

President South Sudan, Salva Kiir, said “The unkindly days of PM Meles Zenawi are not only a loss to Ethiopia but to Africa.” “We have lost a great man but his legacies of peace for Africa will remain with us.”

Former South African President Tabo Mbeki said “It is a matter of great pain for many of us who worked with him. He was the great architect of the new Ethiopia.”

Louis Michel, Co-Chair of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, European Parliament on his part said PM Meles has transformed his country as one of the fastest growing economies of Africa.

Meles was a man who can make a difference under difficulties