Transition in Ethiopia After the Prime Minister's Death

The Ethiopian government announced the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Aug. 21. Zenawi, 57, had held his post since the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front came to power in 1991 after overthrowing the communist regime led by former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam.

Zenawi's death was expected to some degree; he had been receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility abroad for the past two months. As a result, the ruling party likely has prepared a succession plan, and with few internal or external security threats — due largely to its proactive and authoritarian security posture — Ethiopia likely will execute its plan relatively easily.