Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57, state media say, after weeks of speculation about his health. Mr Meles was admitted to hospital in July. The nature of his condition has not been made public. Speculation about his health began when he missed an African Union summit in Addis Ababa earlier last month. Mr Meles took power as the leader of rebels that ousted communist leader Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991. Deputy Prime Minister [...]

IN SUMMARY At stake Security: Regionally, Zenawi has been one of the key players in the fight against the Somali militant organisation Al Shabaab. He has also been crucial in mediating in the dispute between Sudan and South Sudan. Infrastructure: Zenawi has also been one of the movers behind massive development projects like Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Project (LAPSSET). Stability: Many analysts in the region worry about the political situation in a post-Zenawi Ethiopia, and are sceptical that the country [...]