Is Hailemariam Desalegn Ethiopia’s new longtime leader or just a placeholder?

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The death of Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi pushes his relatively unknown successor, Hailemariam Desalegn, into the spotlight, but it’s not yet known if he will be Ethiopia’s next long-time leader or a placeholder.

Ethiopia’s communication minister said government policy would remain consistent under Hailemariam, the former deputy prime minister and foreign minister who is now acting prime minister pending his swearing-in before parliament. The ruling party controls 546 of the 547 seats of parliament, all but ensuring Hailemariam’s ascension to prime minister.

The country’s armed forces pledged allegiance to the country’s constitution and vowed to defend it during the post-Meles era. Meles died Monday of an unknown illness. He had ruled Ethiopia since the 1990s.

Hailemariam was appointed deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs in September 2010.

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