Bulcha Demeksa
Encyclopedia
Bulcha Demeksa is an outspoken Ethiopia
n politician and businessman, and founded one of the largest opposition parties in that country, the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement
. In 1967 he was appointed vice-minister of Finance
before representing his country at the board of the World Bank
. In 1974, when the Ethiopian Revolution started, he left Ethiopia and was hired by the UN administration. He took his retirement in Ethiopia in 1991 and in 1994 he created the Awash International Bank
which became a success. At the end of 2008, Bulcha was named "Person of the Year" by Jimma Times, the online version of the defunct Afaan Oromo private Yeroo newspaper. He was chosen for his work in the financial sector and his work for human rights and democracy as well as peace activist between different warring sections of the Ethiopian society.
Bulcha Demeksa has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Meles Zenawi
government and the opposition leader most referred by the international media. Alongside other opposition officials, he helped the creation of a larger opposition alliance known as "Medrek."
Bulcha resigned from his OFDM party's chairmanship in late 2010 but continues as an adviser for the leadership. His retirement from OFDM and his harsh criticism of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and on the 2010 elections were a regular feature story on dozens of private Amharic and English newspapers in the country.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n politician and businessman, and founded one of the largest opposition parties in that country, the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement
Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement
The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement is a political party in Ethiopia, created to further the interests of the Oromo people.At the last legislative elections, on 15 May 2005, the party won 11 seats, all from the Oromia Region. The party Whip is Mesfin Nemera Deriesa from the Mirab Welega Zone...
. In 1967 he was appointed vice-minister of Finance
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is the Ethiopian government ministry which is responsible for general financial policy and for general management of the economy of Ethiopia, in addition to the allocation of economic aid...
before representing his country at the board of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
. In 1974, when the Ethiopian Revolution started, he left Ethiopia and was hired by the UN administration. He took his retirement in Ethiopia in 1991 and in 1994 he created the Awash International Bank
Awash International Bank
Awash International Bank is a full-service bank in Ethiopia. According to its website, the bank has 60 branches and 480,000 customers. Its deposits in 2007 exceeded 3.4 billion birr....
which became a success. At the end of 2008, Bulcha was named "Person of the Year" by Jimma Times, the online version of the defunct Afaan Oromo private Yeroo newspaper. He was chosen for his work in the financial sector and his work for human rights and democracy as well as peace activist between different warring sections of the Ethiopian society.
Bulcha Demeksa has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Meles Zenawi
Meles Zenawi
Meles Zenawi Asres is the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Since 1985, he has been chairman of the Tigrayan Peoples' Liberation Front , and is currently head of the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front .Meles was born in Adwa, Tigray in Northern Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian father from...
government and the opposition leader most referred by the international media. Alongside other opposition officials, he helped the creation of a larger opposition alliance known as "Medrek."
Bulcha resigned from his OFDM party's chairmanship in late 2010 but continues as an adviser for the leadership. His retirement from OFDM and his harsh criticism of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and on the 2010 elections were a regular feature story on dozens of private Amharic and English newspapers in the country.