Africa had "lost one of the greatest sons of the continent", said
Jacob Zuma, the South African president. Paul Kagame, Rwanda's leader, said
Meles had "led a humble and simple life, but very meaningful one".
Tens of thousands of Ethiopians waved the national flag, some openly weeping.
"He is our hero. All the progress in this city, and this country was
because of his vision to make a better Ethiopia," said Amnet Melese,
24, a recent graduate from Addis Ababa University.
"He didn't care about anything apart from our country, it is so sad we
have to say goodbye before he will see the results of his hard work".
Meles died aged 57 earlier this month in Brussels, where he had been receiving
treatment for an illness still not clearly explained by the Ethiopian
government.
Hailemariam Desalegn, Meles's deputy and now the country's acting prime
minister, promised at yesterday's funeral to continue his predecessor's work
with added vigour.
We affirm to the peoples of Ethiopia and to all our friends that we
have renewed our covenant to pursue our goals and Prime Minister Meles' aims
and ambitions with greater zeal and vigour," he told the crowd.
During a tour of Africa, Bill Clinton describes Meles as part of
a “new generation” of African leaders devoted to democracy and economic
reforms.
2002 - Cements his position as a beacon of hope in Africa, with a World
Peace Prize for his contributions to stabilising the Horn of Africa
