Early chairman of the Derg
In July 1975 he proposed a united front of 'all the forces that rejected the ancient regime, built from the base'; Mengistu and his supporters opposed this strategy.
An Ethiopian officer who became Derg chairman in late 1974. He served as head of state during nationalization of land and major industries but could not contain the internal military struggle. He was killed in February 1977, after which Mengistu consolidated predominance.
Activities and affiliations
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1974–1977
Ethiopia state institutionsChairman of the Derg, Head of StateMain
Government and administration
Career Timeline
- 1941Joined the Ethiopian Army
- 1967Military attaché in Washington, D.C.
- 1974Brigadier general, 4th Division
- 1974–1977Chairman of the Derg (PMAC) and head of state
Related historical events
State and economic-policy context
An Ethiopian officer who became Derg chairman in late 1974. He served as head of state during nationalization of land and major industries but could not contain the internal military struggle. He was killed in February 1977, after which Mengistu consolidated predominance.
Nationalization did not immediately turn every farmer into a state-farm employee. Household farming, peasant associations, cooperatives and state farms were distinct. Different tenure systems meant that southern tenants and northern holders of customary rights experienced reform differently.