Arkebe Equbay next TPLF leader? Revisiting Wikileaks

The ruling junta in Ethiopia, Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), is preparing to replace the late dictator Meles Zenawi. However, there seems to be no clear choice so far, as the various factions within TPLF vie for control. According to Wikileaks, in a previous TPLF election, Meles Zenawi had lost to Arkebe Equbay, but Arkebe reportedly declined the chairmanship for fear of disunity. Two years later, Meles purged him from the TPLF politburo. Could the TPLF central committee reelect Arkebe now? Read the Wikileaks file here.

Current TPLF Politburo (Executive Committee)

1. Meles Zenawi
2. Tsegay Berhe
3. Abay Woldu
4. Abadi Zemo
5. Tewodros Hagos
6. Dr Tewodros Adhanom
7. Debretsion Gebre-Mikael
8. Beyene Mikru
9. Azeb Mesfin

Currentg TPLF Central Committee

1. Meles Zenawi
2. Seyoum Mesfin
3. Abay Tsehaye
4. Fetlework Gebre-Egziabher
5. Arkebe Equbay
6. Beyene Mikru
7. Debre-Tsion Gebre-Michael
8. Roman Gebre-Selassie
9. Dr. Tewodros Adhanom
10. Abay Woldu
11. Azeb Mesfin
12. Nega Berhe
13. Desta Bezabih
14. Abay Nebso
15. Gobezay Wolde -Aregay
16. Kiros Bitew
17. Tewodros Hagos
18. Mikael Abreha
19. Yitbarek Ameha
20. Alem Gebre-Wahd
21. Tsegay Berhe
22. Dr. Addisalem Balema
23. Teklewoyni Assefa
24. Berhane Kidane-Mariam
25. Abadi Zemo
26. Niguse Gebre
27. Hadish Zenebe
28. Getachew Belay
29. Berhane Gebre-Kirstos
30. Tirfu Kidane-Mariam
31. Tewolde Gebre-Tsadikan
32. Hishe Lemma
33. Kidusan Nega
34. Essayas Wolde-Giorgis
35. Tilahun Tarek
36. Zeray Asgedom
37. Meseret Gebre-Mariam
38. Mengisteab Wolde-Kidan
39. Getachew Assefa
40. Daniel Assefa
41. Tesfalem Yehdego
42. Gebre-Meskel Tarek
43. Tewolde Berhe
44. Sahleselassie Teka
45. Eyassu Tesfay