Kibaki attends Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi's funeral

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The casket of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrives at Holy Trinity Church for burial in Addis Ababa on September 2, 2012. Photo/AFP  AFP

By PPS
Posted  Sunday, September 2  2012 at  16:09

IN SUMMARY

• Mwai Kibaki joined other world leaders for the state funeral of the late Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi

President Mwai Kibaki on Sunday joined other world leaders for the state funeral of the late Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, who died on August 20, 2012 after 21 years in power. Read (Funeral of Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi begins)

Kibaki arrived at the Meskel Square, at the centre of the city of Addis Ababa where the funeral service ceremony was conducted, shortly
after 8am.

He was received at the Meskel Square by the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Girma Wolde Giorgis and Acting
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn.

The final journey of the late Prime Minister began at the Grand Palace where the body had been laid.

At the Grand Palace, a guard of honour drawn from the Defence Force of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Federal Police saluted the body shortly after which the funeral procession proceeded to Meskel Square where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen leader.

The religious ceremony, which was held in accordance with Ethiopia Orthodox Church canons, was conducted by acting head of Ethiopia Orthodox Church, Abune Natnael.

Speakers during the funeral hailed the late Meles Zenawi as an outstanding leader under whose tenure Ethiopia made demonstrable progress in many areas of national endeavour.

The late Zenawi was eulogised as a selfless, visionary and intellectual leader who sustained a double digit economic growth rate during his
tenure.

At the regional and continental level, he was hailed for his commitment to peace and for his accomplishments on environmental matters
in the period he served as Chair of the Meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change.

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His efforts in strengthening the African Union, promoting peace initiatives and mobilising Africa's voice on climate change were cited as
his enduring legacies in advancing Pan-Africanism.

After the funeral service and speeches, the parade accompanying the body was held from Meskel Square to the Holy Trinity Cathedral where
the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was finally laid to rest, thus closing the chapter on an illustrious career of an adept statesman that
spanned 21 years.