On his Tuesday June 23 interview with Financial Times Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that he wants to step down. He was quoted as saying that he was preparing to step down and that discussions on the issue had already started within his ruling party. The Prime Minster in the past has said that he wants to step down should his party grant him fulfill his desire.
After 18 years running the country, Meles's intention to step down has been an issue wherever Ethiopians gather. During the three rounds of their debates about the future of country, if and should Prime Minister Meles retires from Ethiopian political life, Dr Shakespeare Feyssa and Mezgebe Gebrekristos challenge each other about the political directions the country could take and who and how should replace him.
Shakespeare is a lawyer in private practice in Seattle, Washington and a supporter of the political opposition to the EPRDF.Mezgebe, who is a supporter of the current administration, lives in Chicago and works in health management.