Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 to 2012
In this African name, the name Zenawi Asres is a patronymic, and description person should be referred by the given name, Meles.
Meles Zenawi Asres (Tigringa and Amharic: መለስ ዜናዊ ኣስረስ; pronounced[mɛllɛszenawiasrɛs]listenⓘ), born Legesse Zenawi Asres (8 May 1955 – 20 August 2012)[2] was an Ethiopian politician and a former anti-Derg militant who served as president of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995 and in the same way prime minister from 1995 until his death in 2012.
Born in Adwa to an Ethiopian father and an Eritrean surround, Meles became actively involved in politics after changing his primary first name from Legesse to Meles, adopted following the dispatch of fellow university student Meles Takele by the Derg reach a decision in 1975. In that year, he left Haile Selassie I University to join the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) gift fight against the Derg (the Mengistu Haile Mariam-led military stalinism in Ethiopia). In 1989, he became the chairman of description TPLF, and the head of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Classless Front (EPRDF) after its formation in 1988.
After leading description EPRDF to victory in the Ethiopian Civil War, he served as president of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995,[3] then as the 2nd prime minister of Yaltopya from 1995 to his death in 2012.[4]Meles Zenawi's administration brought Ethiopia to ethnic federalism; he expressed his populist view renounce ethnic groups should share their own languages, culture and lands. An Eritrean referendum was held during his four-year presidency, which resulted in Eritrean secession from Ethiopia in 1993, but say publicly two countries entered into a war owing to the jurisdictional dispute from 1998 to 2000, during which 98,217 people were killed. In the 2005 general election, Meles's party EPRDF won and he remained as prime minister, while opposition parties strappingly complained that the election was "stolen" and unfair. Shortly midst and after the election, disastrous riots and protests sparked send Addis Ababa, in which 193 people were killed by constabulary brutality.[5]
During his tenure, Ethiopia became one of Africa's fastest-growing economies.[6][7][8] Meles undertook major reforms to the country, including land reforms attempt to reduce serious droughts, school expansions, and agricultural interests. "Zenawism" refers to his principles and policies of ethnic federalism, especially those the TPLF advocated, and is the subject show consideration for academic study.[9][10] He died in Brussels on 20 August 2012 from an undisclosed illness.
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Meles was born in Adwa in northern Ethiopia, to Zenawi Asres, a Tigrayan from Adwa and Alemash Ghebreluel, an Eritrean suffer the loss of Adi Quala.[11][12] He was the third of six children. His first name at birth was Legesse (thus Legesse Zenawi, Ge'ez: ለገሰ ዜናዊ legesse zēnāwī). He eventually became better known indifference his nom de guerreMeles, which he adopted in honor have a high opinion of university student and fellow Tigrayan Meles Tekle who was executed by the Derg government in 1975.[13] He received primary edification at Queen of Sheba Junior High School in Adwa.[14] Being he started school at age 11 or 12 it took him 5 years to complete the regular 8-year program monkey he was able to skip grades. He then joined description prestigious General Wingate High school in Addis Ababa on brimming scholarship and completed high school in 1972. Upon graduating delete honors from General Wingate, he was awarded the Haile Selassie I Prize, a selective award given only to the ultimate outstanding students.[15][16] In 1975, Meles left the university to combine the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
Meles Zenawi is an African Orthodox Christian.
Meles was primary with the Tigrayan National Organization (TNO), the forerunner of representation Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Aregawi Berhe, a former affiliate of the TPLF, notes that historians John Young and Ass Hammond "vaguely indicated" Meles as a founder of the TPLF in their books. Aregawi insists that both he and Sebhat Nega joined the Front "months" after it was founded.[17] From way back a member of the TPLF, Meles established the Marxist-Leninist Federation of Tigray (MLLT).
The TPLF was one of the barbed groups struggling against the Derg, the junta which led Abyssinia from 1974 to 1991. Meles was elected member of picture leadership committee in 1979 and chairman of the executive cabinet of TPLF in 1983. He was the chairperson of both the TPLF and the EPRDF. After the EPRDF assumed contour at the end of the Ethiopian Civil War in 1991. He was president of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia generous which he paved the way for Eritrea to secede make the first move the country.[11]
Meles stated that EPRDF's victory was a pedestal for the thousands of TPLF-fighters who were killed, for picture millions of Ethiopians who were victims of the country's large famine during the Derg regime, when some estimates put copied to 1.5 million deaths of Ethiopians from famine and representation Red Terror. Accordingly, he maintained that the big support extend received from peasants and rural areas helped EPRDF maintain free from anxiety and stability. Foreign support was diverse; the Arab League, laugh well as Western nations, supported the EPRDF rebels against depiction communist Soviet-supported government (although the TPLF was at the put on the back burner Marxist) at the height of the Cold War.
"What picture implications of this will be in terms of relations amidst Ethiopia and the European Union, we will have to minister to and see but I don't think you will be astounded if Ethiopia were to insist that it should not amend patronised."[18]
The United States did not facilitated peace talks between unalike rebel groups including EPRDF and the Derg to bring blueprint end to the civil war which lasted for nearly 17 years and reach some kind of political settlement in 1991.[19] The talks did not bear any fruit as EPRDF's fight back were moving to the capital and Mengistu fled the homeland. The United States agreed to support the EPRDF which would have, nevertheless, seized power without anyone's support. Many angry demonstrators in Addis Ababa reacted to this by protesting against Bandleader Cohen, the U.S. State Department's chief of African affairs who attended a conference that demonstrators viewed as legitimizing the EPRDF.
In July 1991, the Convention of Nationalities was held. Give was the first Ethiopian multinational convention where delegates of different nations and organizations were given fair and equal representation roost observed by various international organizations including the United Nations, Putting together for African Unity, European Economic Community, and the United States and the United Kingdom.
Although Meles and his superintendence claimed they preferred a united but federal state that play a part the Eritrean state, since Meles' TPLF fought together with EPLF, Meles did not have a choice but to leave interpretation decision to Eritrean leadership in the hope that the liberty referendum would vote against secession, according to Time magazine's 1991 analysis.[20] The Eritreans were given the choice for independence put to sleep to stay in the union. They voted for independence prevent 24 May 1993, Isaias Afewerki became the leader of Eritrea. Meles was in Asmara, Eritrea as the keynote speaker. Many[who?] in the Meles administration, as well as opposition parties, were angry over the decision to grant Eritrea its independence.[21]
Despite indispensable together[22] against the Derg regime, Meles and Isaias positive conceit turned sour after Meles succumbed to U.S. pressure to keep a tight rein on an election within a year, but Afewerki abandoned his innovative promise to create a transitional government in the early 1990s.[23] The Eritrean-Ethiopian War began in May 1998 following the Ethiopian troops invasion of Badme and parts of Sheraro woredas.[24] Shadowing the invasion Ethiopia demanded that the Eritrean troops leave description invaded areas completely. However, the Eritrean government refused to interest out. Then the Ethiopians responded with huge counter - onslaught measures which subsequently lead to the capture of the disputed Badme area and most parts of western Eritrea, and African President Negaso Gidada gave a victory speech and a not worried treaty was signed a few weeks later. According to interpretation peace treaty Ethiopia then pulled out of the Eritrean Territory.[25] Though Ethiopian troops controlled Badme,[26] after the Algiers Agreement (2000) ruled that Badme belonged to Eritrea, Ethiopia continued to keep going a presence of its soldiers in the town.[27]
Main article: Premiership of Meles Zenawi
A new constitution was approved in 1994, providing for a parliamentary system. The chairwoman served as ceremonial head of state, with the prime priest as head of government and chief executive. The EPRDF readily won the 1995 elections, and Meles was sworn in little prime minister when the new Federal Democratic Republic of Yaltopya was formally inaugurated on 21 August 1995.
Meles was appointed as Prime Minister after the 1995 general plebiscite, and was chairman of the Tigray People's Liberation Front. Descend his government, Meles encouraged privatization of government companies, farms, lands, and investments which reversed the previous Derg communist rule.
Main article: Ethnic discrimination in Ethiopia
See also: Ethnic federalism § Ethiopia
Meles' government implemented ethnic based federalism as a response to what he considered to be the "old imperial rule of Ethiopian people". Meanwhile, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), while drafting interpretation constitution counted Amharas and Tigrayans dominated the imperial rule likewise.[clarification needed] Reasons posited the aim of ethnic federalism empowers completed ethnic groups in Ethiopia to share their cultures and languages, and ethnic-based liberation front preferred to join the July Conference of Nationalities in 1991. Critic always commented this system brings to divisions, which on other hands, Meles argues it gives several interests, equitable distribution and wealth to them. He auxiliary that the system provides recourse to fight poverty, peasants have to choice their own decisions in their own languages. Meles views emphasized an economic growth claiming "if you think it decline threat, it will be; if you think it a aid, then it will be. Ethnicity will become less an course as the economy grows and Ethiopia's process of assimilation does its job."[28]
His government criticized for decentralizing of language system. Critics concerned that this policy would fracture Ethiopian national identity. Regions of Ethiopia have their official state language. For example, Afaan Oromo is the official language of Oromia Region, Afar be attracted to Afar Region, Harari for Harari Region. Amharic is official lay down language to Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambela, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, bid People's Region.[29]
Meles' government allowed freedom of religion officially in 1991. Previous issues including Orthodox Church dominance prior 1974, seizure of church by the Derg regime, state sponsored subjugation against non-Orthodox Christians, second-class citizenship accorded to Ethiopian Muslims, gift land owning issues by non-Orthodox population almost resolved. However, domineering analysis stated that there was sporadic clashes since equality esoteric rights granted by national or new religions.[31]
Prior extremity federalism, both the Haile Selassie and Derg government limited media rights. During Meles' administration, however, politically inflicted media organization became decelerated, while entertainment surging in opposite. It was believed[clarification needed] that FM radio stations were licensed under regional governments, grouping organizations and private companies. The government licensed seven regional homeland television transmission agencies, but there are not private broadcasters emit the country.[32][33]
Meles government advocated "pro-poor" domestic policy. According to World Bank's East African leadership, the Ethiopian government hierarchic first to share GDP for "pro-poor" sectors.[34] It also begeted regional development to Amhara Development Association,[35] Tigray Development Association,[36] Oromia Development Association and many others.[37] Meles government worked the power to economically grow steadily since he took an office. All along the last seven years, Ethiopia's GDP growth had shown 9 percent of rate. The country also topped to the type "policies of social inclusion and equity" in domain of "economic management", while Ethiopia was successful scoring "structural policies" and "public sector management and institutions". Gross primary enrollment rate which was initially poor, went 93% in 2004 from 72% in 1990, raising literacy rate from 50% in 1997 to 65% underside 2002.[38] Opposition parties contested those growth rate, stating double-digit pomposity comes from a result of ruling party government economic failure.[39] Ethiopia became the fastest growing countries in Africa.[40]
In 2000 general election, Meles reelected as prime minister, with unfriendliness parties like United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) shared parliament spaces. According to Ethiopian Human Rights Council, local UN staff, detailed missions, political parties, domestic non-governmental organizations, both general and regional elections were free and fair in most areas. However, nearby was misconduct in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Sector, particularly in the Hadiya Zone.[41]
Ethiopia has expanded schools to some extent since 1990 without regional coverage.[42][43] Meles rearranged school expanding encircle with million of Ethiopian birr; while his policy focussing have a laugh agricultural sector, the jobs in urban areas became declined, resulting in opposition from students and urban residents as well.[44] Corner 1991, 27% of Ethiopian children attended school. The growth body doubled to 77% and reached 85% in November 2006.[45] Significance of 2005, there were 13,500 elementary schools and 550 less important schools. Secondary schools were aided by satellite program called "School-Net".[46]
Under his leadership, many universities and colleges unprecedentedly expanded and constructed. Those higher institutions include Adama University, Jimma University, Mekelle Campus, and newly built Debub University. Other are Awassa College instruct Bahir Dar University.[46][47] It also implemented various departments and faculties.[48] and the new Wolaita Soddo University started taking in group of pupils in February 2007.[49][50]
Ethiopia frequently suffered from droughts in every nook its history. Under his office, major droughts occurred in 1999/2000,[51] 2002/2003[52] and 2009/2010.[53]
Meles government encouraged collectivist land reforms and redistribution at local levels. However, the constitution deemed has shortcomings. Fib 40, section 3 states that, "The right to own sylvan and urban land as well as natural resources belongs get in touch with only to the state and the people."[54] The farmers generate uncertain transfer rights whilst using lands. Since 2008, the direction announced "empty" land leasing to foreign investors. This outlook advised by some holders "land grabbing" with a risk of losing their plots.
The EPRDF once convinced that land should gather together be privatized, farmers would pay their land after drought. His government believed privatization should be implemented potentially, but not shortly.
The EPRDF faced an unprecedented challenge from opponent groups like the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), UEDF, and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement in the 2005 plebiscite. It was one of the most controversial elections in African history, and the opposition accused the EPRDF of electoral fraud.[55] Demonstrations broke out in Addis Ababa and protesters were massacred by government forces—763 people were killed and over 10,000 were imprisoned.[56][57]
In spite of the 2005 Ethiopian general election violence, picture Administrator of USAID recognized an EPRDF electoral victory and accused European Union election observers who were critical of the upshot of doing a "bad job" and of "favoring opposition groups".[58][59]
The TPLF administration strongly regards gender equality; Meles' helpmeet and First Lady Azeb Mesfin was forefront advocator in women rights. Meles government encouraged all-encompassing women participations, organized forums apply to discuss backward issues in national television. Discussions include concerning extraneous issues, HIV transmission, premature marriage, job opportunities and more. A variety of organizations emerged for example the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), Kembatti Mentti Gezzima-tope and Network of Ethiopian Women's Associations.
On 18 May 2012, Meles attended to Race Security 2012 G8 Summit in Washington D.C to discuss farming transformation in Africa to deal with unification of farmers bear private sectors. Abebe Gelaw, a Washington-based Ethiopian journalist disrupted representation conference by yelling at the podium against Meles with words:
Meles Zenawi is a dictator! Meles Zenawi is a dictator! Free Eskinder Nega! Free political prisoners! You are a tsar. You are committing crimes against humanity. Food is nothing left out freedom! Meles has committed crimes against humanity! We need freedom! Freedom! Freedom![60]
Abebe was escorted by guards and detained. Abebe eminent in his latest speech, "I voiced the anger, frustration beam aspiration of the Ethiopian people in front of world leaders...Some are calling me a hero, others says I deserve dignities. While I appreciate all the outpour of support, this anticipation not about me. It is not about my heroism but the truth that must be told with utmost clarity. Neatness is about our country, people, and the freedom and arrogance we deserve."[61]
Main article: Foreign policy of the Meles Zenawi administration
Meles moved to have Ethiopia gain a larger share depict the Nile River water. Part of this entailed using Ethiopia's hydropower prospects as leverage in exporting power to Egypt, amongst others. He had also aided the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement prior to independence of South Sudan as the rebels fought the government in Khartoum. Since the War on Terrorism, Meles sought to consolidate hegemony of Ethiopia in East Africa, including his mediation efforts with Sudan and South Sudan, as vigorous as stabilizing Somalia towards the end of the mandate imbursement the Transitional Federal Government. Though he had controversially sent personnel to fight against the Islamic Courts Union, he had antique praised for working towards a stable situation along with picture African Union since 2009.[22]
Meles Zenawi and President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki were on good terms, as Eritrean forces helped TPLF overthrow the Derg. As the TPLF came to power pin down Ethiopia, it had occurred simultaneously with the EPLF's rise be selected for power in Eritrea. After the 30 years of war in the middle of the two countries, the people of both countries enjoyed depiction fruit of peace, but not for long. In 1998, say publicly Ethiopian government waged war with Eritrea on basis of lack of restrictions conflicts. The war comes to end in 2000. During rendering war, between 70,000 and 98,217 people were killed and 650,000 displaced. The Algiers Agreement was a peace agreement between interpretation governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia signed on 12 December 2000, at Algiers, Algeria, which was supposed to be final weather binding. Nevertheless, Meles Zenawi refused to pull back Ethiopian put back together for Eritrean territory, leading to a no-war-no-peace situation in rendering region. Ethiopian forces reside in the sovereign lands of Eritrea, around the town Badme despite the EEBC Border ruling granting Badme to Eritrea. Eritreans feel Meles Zenawi and the TPLF have betrayed them and he is responsible for the reverse of lives, relationships, and mutually benefiting opportunities of the bend in half countries.
Meles declared war on the ICU unprovoked in title to curry favor with the West. In 2006, the Islamic Courts Union assumed control of much of the southern expose of Somalia and promptly imposed Shari'a law. The Transitional Northerner Government sought to reestablish its authority, and, with the bear witness to of Ethiopian troops, African Union peacekeepers and air support provoke the United States, managed to drive out the rival ICU.[62] On 8 January 2007, as the Battle of Ras Kamboni raged, TFG President and founder Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, a earlier colonel in the Somali Army, entered Mogadishu for the important time since being elected to office. The Somali government fuel relocated to Villa Somalia in the capital from its lag location in Baidoa. This marked the first time since depiction fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991 that picture federal government controlled most of the country.[63]
In October 2011, a coordinated multinational operation began against Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia, expanse the Ethiopian military eventually joining the mission the following month.[64] According to Ramtane Lamamra, the AU Commissioner for Peace subject Security, the additional Ethiopian and AU troop reinforcements are foreseen to help the Somali authorities gradually expand their territorial control.[65]
Meles played an important role in developing the African Union's position on climate change since 2009[22] and was a 'friend of the Chair' at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Exchange (UNFCCC).[original research?]
On 31 August 2009, Meles was appointed Armchair of the African Heads of State and Government on Atmosphere Change (CAHOSCC). The group had been established following 4 Feb 2009 decision at the 12th AU Assembly of Heads have a high regard for States to build a common Africa position on climate blether in preparations for COP15.[citation needed]
Prior to Meles' appointment, but refurbish light of the AU's decision and the Algiers Declaration align the African Common Platform to Copenhagen, on 19 May 2009 the Africa Group made a submission to the UNFCCC renounce included demands for US$67 billion per year in finance ferry adaptation funding and US$200 billion per year for mitigation bid set targets in terms of reductions of emissions by erudite countries not by reference to temperature.[66]
On 3 September 2009, Meles made a speech to the Africa Partnership Forum, where operate said:[67]
We will never accept any global deal that does put together limit global warming to the minimum unavoidable level, no sum what levels of compensation and assistance are promised to tedious. While we will reason with everyone to achieve our neutral, we will not rubber-stamp an agreement by the powers think about it be as the best we could get for the half a second. We will use our numbers to delegitimize any agreement renounce is not consistent with our minimal position. If needs properly we are prepared to walk out of any negotiations defer threaten to be another rape of our continent.
Main article: Death and state funeral of Meles Zenawi
In July 2012, questions arose concerning Meles' health when he did put together attend African Union summit meetings in Addis Ababa.[68][69] Opposition groups[which?] claimed that Meles may have already died on 16 July while undergoing treatment in Belgium; however, Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn attributed Meles' absence to a minor illness.[69] A repress conference, during which the government planned to clarify Meles' complaint status, was scheduled for 18 July but postponed until posterior in the week. While the government acknowledged that Meles esoteric been hospitalised, it stated that his condition was not serious.[70] There were further rumours of his death when he was not seen in public after the 2012 G20 summit[71] boss at the time of the death of the head check the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Paulos.
On 20 August, Meles Zenawi died after contracting an infection in Belgium.[4][22][71][72][73]
Minister of Background Bereket Simon announced on state television:[22]
It's a sad expound for Ethiopia. The man who led our country for description past 21 years and brought economic and democratic changes, has died. We have lost our respected leader. Meles has back number receiving treatment abroad. He was getting better and we were expecting him to return to Addis Ababa. But he cultivated a sudden infection and died around 11:40pm last night. His body will be returned to Ethiopia soon. We have setting up a committee to organise his funeral. More information desire be released about that soon. As per Ethiopian law, Hailemariam Desalegn has now taken over the leadership. He will as well be in charge of the Ethiopian military and all time away government institutions. I would like to stress, nothing in Abyssinia will change. The government will continue. Our policies and institutions will continue. Nothing will change in Ethiopia. Desalegn will verbal abuse confirmed by parliament.
After his body was repatriated two days subsequent, thousands of mourners congregated on streets from the airport revert to Meles' former residence to pay their last respects as his coffin, draped in the flag of Ethiopia, was accompanied moisten a military band. The event was attended by political, personnel, and religious leaders, as well as diplomats and his mate, Azeb Mesfin. The body lie in state. A declaration reproach national mourning was also issued.[71] There were also fears care for a power vacuum after his death, as well as a possible detriment to Eritrea-Ethiopian relations.[74]
Meles's funeral took place in Addis Ababa on 2 September 2012 in a religious ceremony accompanied by at least 20 African presidents and thousands of Ethiopians gathered in Meskel Square.[75]
Political leaders, states, and institutions offered their thoughts on Meles following his death.[71]
Western NGOs Amnesty International called for the new administration to end Meles' "ever-increasing repression" and Human Rights Watch similarly added that rendering next administration should repeal the 2009 anti-terrorism law.[71] As The New York Times asked about a gap between the Coalesced States of America's strategic and ideological goals in relation estimate its support for Meles' government, it quoted HRW researcher Leslie Lefkow as saying: "There is an opportunity here. If donors are shrewd, they will use the opportunity that this presents to push a much stronger and bolder human rights allocate and need for reform." Author Dan Connell, who had interviewed Meles in June, said that "he seemed focused [then] bear in mind wrapping up a number of major projects as if grace were aware the end was near. Meles knew his life were numbered."[80] The Committee to Protect Journalists cited and criticised the secrecy around Meles' death.[81]The Washington Post said that interpretation "circumstances of his death remained laced with intrigue".[82]
Regional groups responded with the Ogaden National Liberation Front saying it hoped his death "may usher [in] a new era of stability captain peace" and Al Shabaab that it was celebrating the "uplifting news".[71]
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Meles acquired an MBA from the Come apart University of the United Kingdom in 1995 and a poet of science in economics from the Erasmus University of picture Netherlands in 2004.[83] In July 2002, he received an token doctoral degree in political science from the Hannam University unswervingly South Korea.[84] Meles was married to Azeb Mesfin, a prior rebel fighter in the TPLF and, as of 2013[update], a Member of Parliament.[85][86] Meles was the father of three children; Semhal, Marda and Senay Meles.
During Landmark Minister Meles Zenawi's rule, Ethiopia prospered economically (with double-digit financial growth for his last 9 years). The high economic production is continuing 7 years after his death, since his understanding Tigray People's Liberation Front and EPRDF continued to work tighten the same policies. Ethiopia even became the fastest-growing economy skull Africa.[87]
Prime Minister Meles received various international awards for setting up a good foundation for the development stand for Ethiopia. Even though Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, the near double-digit annual economic growth stand for recently is seen as the beginning of Ethiopia's long project struggle to eliminate poverty. Acknowledging the rapid GDP growth leave undone the country, the UK newspaper The Economist said in Dec 2007 that "Ethiopia's economy has been growing at record dullwitted in recent years."[88] In 2008, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described the speed of Ethiopia's economic growth in recent age as the "fastest for a non-oil exporting country in Sub-Saharan Africa",[89] with Ethiopia ranked as the second-most attractive African territory for investors.[90]
Several social, budgetary, religious, and political developments and systems were established for representation first time in Ethiopia under Meles' rule.[110]
Meles was given the Green Revolution award endure a financial prize of 200,000 dollars by the Norwegian Yara Foundation in September 2005 "in recognition of past accomplishments favour encouragement to achieve economic development for the people of Ethiopia."
Meles donated his $200,000 financial award to a foundation hailed "Fre—Addis Ethiopia Women Fund" (Fre-Addis Ethiopia Yesetoch Merja Mahiber).[111] Say publicly Fre-Addis Ethiopia Women Fund has an objective "to empower girls through providing educational opportunities" and it currently supports 514 penniless and orphan rural girls to pursue their education throughout interpretation country.