Ethiopian prime minister dies after spending months out of public eye

Mr Meles died just before midnight after contracting an infection, state TV announced yesterday.

Hailemariam Desalegn, who was appointed deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs in 2010, is now in charge of the Cabinet, it said.

Mr Meles had not been seen in public for about two months. In mid-July, he failed to attend a meeting of heads of state of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. Following that, speculation increased his health problems were serious.

Born on May 8, 1955, Mr Meles became president in 1991 and prime minister in 1995, a position that is both the head of the federal government and armed forces.

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday paid tribute, describing him as “an inspirational spokesman for Africa” on global issues.

“His personal contribution to Ethiopia’s development, in particular by lifting millions of Ethiopians out of poverty, has set an example for the region,” he said.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said: “Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, made more progress in education, health and economic development under his leadership than at any time in its history.”