The Indian Ocean Newsletter (No. 1379, May 9, 2014):   The general election looming ahead in 2015 is already casting a shadow over the Ethiopian government, whose sole uniting bond would seem to be its praise for the memory of its late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. His portraits are on all the walls in Addis Ababa which was not the case when he was alive, and in the Federal Assembly a video projector plays his speeches with the aim of inspiring the new MPs. And yet, since Meles Zenawi died in August 2012, the Federal government has been rudderless, lacking a descendent. His successor as Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn has neither the grip nor the political clout and has not managed to impose himself on the other political leaders.  Read More…