Zenaneh Mekonnen, a longtime correspondent for Deutsche Welle, passed away this morning in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he had been receiving medical treatment for an extended period. His daughter, Bitanya Zenaneh, confirmed the news of his passing.
The 68-year-old journalist, born in Adezo Gonder, served at the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency from the 1970s until the mid-1980s. After relocating to Israel in the mid-1980s, Mekonnen worked as Deutsche Welle Radio’s Jerusalem correspondent until health issues forced him to step back from his role.
Audiences remember Mekonnen for his comprehensive coverage of the Middle East, particularly his reporting on Israeli-Arab conflicts and regional political developments. His distinctive voice and insightful reporting made him a respected figure in Ethiopian journalism.
According to his daughter Bitanya, the funeral service will be held at Yakom Cemetery in Tel Aviv. Mekonnen was married and is survived by his three daughters.
His passing marks the end of an era in Ethiopian journalism, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated reporting and professional excellence in both Ethiopian and international media landscapes.
