Ethiopia: Veteran politician, businessman Bulcha Demeksa dies at 93
Bulcha Demeksa, a prominent Ethiopian politician, businessman, and founder of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (#OFDM), passed away this morning at the age of 93, local media reported. Known for his unwavering advocacy for democracy and good governance, Bulcha played a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s political and economic development.
Bulcha served as Vice-Minister of Finance in 1967 and represented Ethiopia on the World Bank board before working with the UN after the 1974 revolution. He returned to Ethiopia in 1991 and, in 1994, became one of the founders of Awash International Bank, now one of the country’s leading private banks. In 2005, he founded OFDM, advocating for non-violent, democratic alternatives in Ethiopian politics.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences, describing Bulcha as someone who “served his country and Africa with all his capacity, stood firm in his convictions, worked tirelessly to unite people, and consistently spoke the truth as he believed it.” He added that “the loss of such strong elders is a loss for the nation” and prayed for Bulcha’s soul to rest in peace.
