Meles Zenawi Asres was the Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 until his death in 2012. Known as one of Africa's strongmen, he was a part of the ally of the United States in the war on terror.

Zenawi was born in in northern Ethiopia. He graduated from the General Wingate High school in Addis Ababa, then studied medicine at Addis Ababa University for 2 years. Later he founded the Marxist-Leninist League of Tigray. Zenawi was elected Leader of the Leadership Committee in 1979 and Leader of the Executive Committee in 1983.

Several social, economic, religious and political developments and systems were established for the first time in Ethiopia under Meles Zenawi's rule.

He died in 20 August 2012.