Obama praises Meles Zenawi 's `` unyielding commitment to Ethiopia 's poor '' and his willingness to work with the international community. Critics point out his efforts to stifle political opposition and silence journalists . The government held a news conference last month and announced Meles received treatment for an unspecified illness . He came to power as part of a guerrilla insurgency against a dictator .
Obama praises Meles Zenawi 's `` unyielding commitment to Ethiopia 's poor '' and his willingness to work with the international community. Critics point out his efforts to stifle political opposition and silence journalists . He came to power as part of a guerrilla insurgency against a dictator .