Free Republic

Ethiopia's new leader Hailemariam Desalegn, expected to assume power following the death of the longtime prime minister, readied for the post on Friday after holding talks with US President Barack Obama. But Hailemariam, 47, a relatively little-known politician overshadowed by his mentor Meles Zenawi, who died on Monday, faces tough challenges both internally and across the volatile Horn of Africa region. Obama, who telephoned Hailemariam late Thursday, urged him to "use his leadership to enhance the Ethiopian government's support for development, democracy, human rights and regional security," the White House said. Hailemariam has also met with South Sudan's foreign minister...

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia's long-time ruler who held tight control over this East African country but was a major U.S counterterrorism ally, died of an undisclosed illness after not being seen in public for weeks, Ethiopian authorities announced Tuesday. He was 57. Meles died Monday just before midnight after contracting an infection, state TV said. Hailemariam Desalegn, who was appointed deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs in 2010, became acting prime minister and will be sworn in as prime minister after an emergency meeting of parliament, said Bereket Simon, the communications minister. Parliament is controlled by Meles' ruling party...

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced that between 2,000 and 3,000 Islamic Militia fighters were killed in battles in Somalia over the past few days. Zenawi added that between 4,000 to 5,000 people were wounded during the clashes. (AFP)