06:49
rwandaexpress
President Kagame speaking at the funeral of the late Ethiopian PM. Just behind on the right is Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni (All photos by PPU)
President Paul Kagame on Sunday joined dozens of world leaders and tens of thousands of mourners in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the country laid to rest its late Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi.
In his tribute, speaking as one of the friends of the late PM, President Kagame said the African continent had lost a great leader. “…we also celebrate his rich life that has touched millions of people in Africa and across the world,” said Kagame at the Meskel Square.
“As a person, Meles was a serious man. But he combined this with a very good sense of humour and a sense of good judgement. He was a man of substance and dignity, an irreplaceable voice for humanity,” added the President, amid a somber mood and which was marked by regular outburst of emotion from the thousands of Ethiopians attending the funeral.
“Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s legacy has deep roots in the rich heritage of independence and dignity that this great nation of Ethiopia has inspired on our continent. He was a true heir and fierce champion of that tradition and sought to share it with the rest of Africa. He was a very able voice for Africa in leading NEPAD, Climate change, agriculture and food security, to mention but a few.”
Kagame added: “The most befitting tribute we can pay him is to consolidate and carry on with the work and the vision he associated with for our continent.”
President Kagame arrived in Addis Ababa on Saturday. In the evening of the same day, Kagame paid his respects at the Grand Palace in Addis Ababa where he signed the condolence book and laid a wreath by casket where the late Prime Minister laid in state.
In a statement ahead of the funeral, President Kagame said: “[Meles Zenawi] was a gallant fighter for freedom not only for Ethiopia and Ethiopian people but also Africa.”
On Sunday, Kagame spoke at the funeral along with former South African President Thabo Mbeki as friends of the late Prime Minister. Various other leaders also spoke.
In the VIP section, President Kagame was seated next to Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, and Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan. Former Burundian leader Pierre Buyoya was also among the mourners and was seated on the same row as President Kagame.
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