Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE END OF AN ERA
The elections of 2010 saw Zenawi and the EPRDF returned to power. This time there was
none of the violence that marked the 2005 election but international observers criticised the
elections saying they fell short of international standards. Human Rights Watch claimed the
government had a strategy of systematically closing down space for political dissent and
independent criticism.
THE DEATH OF A PATRIARCH
In 2012 Ethiopia didn't just mourn for Zenawi, but also for Abune Paulos, the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church who died suddenly at the age of 76 just four days before the death of the prime minister.
Jailed by Mengistu in the 1970s he later fled to the US and remained there in exile until the overthrow of the
Derg. He became head of the Church in 1992 and has been credited for modernising it.
An election to decide the next patriarch is due to be held as this topic goes to print.
In July 2012 rumours began to circulate that Zenawi, who hadn't been seen in public for
some weeks, had died. The government denied these rumours but admitted that Zenawi had
been hospitalised, but that his condition was not serious. On 20 August 2012 it was an-
nounced that after 21 years of leading Ethiopia, Zenawi had died of an infection contracted
after an operation to remove a brain tumour.
TIMELINE
c 3.2 million BC
Lucy collapses and awaits discovery and fame 3.2 million years down the line. Ethiopia
uses her as the basis of its claim to be the birthplace of humankind.
3500-2000 BC
The Ancient Egyptians trade with the Land of Punt, which many people consider to be
somewhere on the Eritrean or Somalian coast.
