     Koshin | Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 06:32 pm
Ethiopian PM's position 'under threat'
Meles Zenawi is trying to shore up his position
Political tensions are running high in Addis Ababa, with reports that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is facing a power struggle within his party. Sources have told the BBC that senior members of the Central Committee of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the main party in the ruling coalition, are opposed to Mr Zenawi's policies and that this is now threatening his position.
The exact details are unclear and speculation is rife. But the focus of the struggle seems to be over ideology.
The dissenting members are believed to oppose the Prime Minister's more progressive reforms and to have accused him of selling out to capitalism and Western powers such as the United States.
Marxist ideology
Meles Zenawi is criticised for turning his back on the ideals of the 1991 revolution
In other words, the prime minister is believed to be moving away from the Marxist ideology that brought his party to power in 1991.
Mr Zenawi's opponents are also thought to be critical of Meles Zenawi's handling of the conflict with Eritrea.
Sources say the dissenting committee members, most of whom have been labelled "hard-liners" feel that the prime minister has been "too soft" on Eritrea.
They complain that Ethiopia should have toppled the Eritrean government and captured Asmara, when they launched their offensive in May last year.
Peace treaty
Ethiopia has now signed a peace treaty with Eritrea.
Meles Zenawi is being criticised over his handling of the war with Eritrea
Matters came to a head last week, when 12 of the 30-member committee left the meeting.
It is still unclear whether they walked out of the meeting voluntarily or if they were suspended by the prime minister, who chairs the Central Committee.
The 12 include the deputy leader of the TPLF, Tewolde Wolde Mariam and the President of the Tigray Region, Gebru Asrat.
There is widespread speculation on the whereabouts of the 12 members.
Many believe they have been placed under house arrest, others say they have fled the country and others say that they are just keeping a low profile.
A meeting took place in Addis Ababa on Tuesday in an attempt to heal the rift and bring the two parties together.
If the split cannot be resolved, Mr Zenawi could be facing the most serious threat to his position since he took office seven years ago.
The schism could provide the opposition with the perfect opportunity to lead a revolt.
Courtesy of
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