Meles Zenawi
- Born May 8, 1955 in Adwa, northern Ethiopia
- Suspended studies in 1974 to join Tigrai Peoples Liberation Front, TPLF
- Chairman of TPLF and Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front since 1989
- Led EPRDF rebels to seize power in 1991 and became president
- Prime minister since being elected in 1995
- Serves as African Union spokesperson on climate change
- Praised for helping lift Ethiopia out of poverty after civil war
- Criticized for silencing all forms of dissent
- Known as ally with U.S. against terrorism