Welcome back to Access Africa
the Billboard behind me shows the written constitution
of Ethiopia in which social justice, reduction of poverty
and security, play a central role
let's pick up the conversation with the Prime Minister
I have to ask you about freedom of the press
in a report Human Rights Watch noted that the Ethiopian authorities continue
to
severely restrict the rights to freedom of expression
Association
and peaceful assembly using repressive laws to constrain civil society and
independent media
and target individuals with politically motivated
prosecutions - How you respond to that criticism?
Human Rights Watch is an ideological
mechanism for some of the
ideologically driven groups so it's an ideological difference so I have no comment
The concern about human rights was also
echoed by the US State Department in the report - it was quite a few years back but
they had also
a few reservations on that so it's not just Human Rights Watch
I think we have been discussing this for several times and we will explain to
them
and that continues on
So you don't think that there's a problem?
No country can say that there is no problem
even in the United States who are reporting on others
there are a number a brutal actions of the police
as far as human rights observations are concerned
So don't you think you've used a bit of a heavy hand when it comes to dealing
with the opposition or with people who are critical of your government?
For us this is a very sensitive part of the globe
you know we have terrorists every corner
anyone who has connection with
terrorists
if you, Yousef, if you have connection with Al-Shabaab
we will arrest you because what matters is
anyone who has connection with a terrorist group
and undemocratic, arms
groups then they are, under the law, they should be questioned for
this action - this is what we are doing nothing else
Your predecessor Meles Zenawi ran the country for seventeen years
was a charismatic figure on the world stage
that's a big act to follow
How does your
administration set itself apart from his?
I think we are following the same trend
because we have the same party
and we have the same policy we are continuing on that policy
yes, if you take as an individual, Prime Minister Meles
is charismatic not from African setting
but globally so that is
an exceptional personality extraordinary person
so I think that's his personal quality so you cannot compare personalities
the only thing is we have the same policy the same strategy
and implementation going on so I think if you see
the economy grows as continued and
the country's moving forward and that policy is working very well
in this country so I think that that's what you have to see
One of the reports
I was reading described you as a more consensual
person, willing to listen to more opinions Do you think that leads to
a slower government machine?
That means
to the contrary - Prime Minister Meles was not consensual
he's not listening That's wrong
Doesn't mean he's not listening
Well you said that you know?
It's not black or white
One is slightly more consensual the other slightly less consentual
that is what I was getting at
That's wrong
we have always a collective leadership in the country
I mean in the EPRDF as a ruling party
so that's where I say consensus is always there
Where in the time of Prime Minister Meles also now
Bill and Hillary Clinton in their autobiographies
claim one of the things politicians need to think about
is their legacy
Prime Minister what will
your legacy be?
Extricating my people from the poverty
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn thank you very much for joining us
on Access Africa
My pleasure thank you so much for coming