The Hagiography of Meles Zenawi - Deconstructing the Official Narrative about Ethiopia's Former Prime Minister

摘要

This thesis examines narratives about Ethiopia's former Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi. In the aftermath of his death the narrative about his person and leadership has been presented in a certain way in public space. Hence this thesis asks how the narrative is constructed, how it has a strategic political function and how the cultivation of a cult of personality works as a mechanism of control. Analysis and discussion centre around three key themes of the official discourse about the former leader; Meles as developer, patriot and person. It combines contemporary propaganda; pictures of political posters and billboards from public space with narratives about the former leader based on qualitative interviews and conversations. The thesis concludes that the cult and its symbolism is first and foremost an effective way for the leadership to visualise its dominance on society. The cult is not static, but adaptable and flexible. A cult works to create a point of reference for the whole belief system of a regime centred on one man and today national days, traditions and success stories in society are connected directly to the former leader. For more than two decades Meles Zenawi was the driving force behind politics in Ethiopia and during his rule power became increasingly personalised. Although the idolisation of his personality emerged before he died, Meles explicitly embodies state, nation, party and ideology post mortem. The cultivating of a cult facilitates authoritarian rule and allows the leadership to continue with their rule. Comparing Meles Zenawi with the two former rulers in Ethiopia; Emperor Haile Selassie and military-leader Mengistu Haile Mariam reveals that current rule is following some of the same practises and linking rule to some of the same fundamental pillars that former regimes have relied upon. Finally, the official narrative about Meles Zenawi and the propaganda in public space also incorporates and relates to international discourses and international expectations.