Who are the Derg in Ethiopia?
The Derg, which originally consisted of soldiers at the capital, broadened its membership by including representatives from the 40 units of the Ethiopian Army, Air Force, Navy, Kebur Zabagna (Imperial Guard), Territorial Army and police: each unit was expected to send three representatives, who were supposed to be …
What Derg means?
Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police
Derg means ‘committee’ or ‘council’ in an old Ethiopic language (Geez). Formed after the1974 revolution, its official name was the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army. Later they renamed it Provisional Military Administrative Council.
What is White Terror in Ethiopia?
In February 1977, the EPRP initiated terrorist attacks–known as the White Terror– against Derg members and their supporters. Mengistu and the Derg eventually won this latest struggle for control of the Ethiopian revolution, at a cost to the EPRP of thousands of its members and supporters imprisoned, dead, or missing.
What is the economic system in Ethiopia during Derg?
The imperial government presided over what was, even in the mid-twentieth century, essentially a feudal economy, with aristocrats and the church owning most arable land and tenant farmers who paid exorbitant rents making up the majority of the nation’s agriculturalists.
Who overthrew the Derg?
1990s. In May 1991, Mengistu’s government was finally overthrown by its own officials and a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), after their bid for a push on the capital Addis Ababa became successful.
How many people died during Derg?
The Qey Shibir was based on the Red Terror of the Russian Civil War, and most visibly took place after Mengistu Haile Mariam became Chairman of the Derg on 3 February 1977. It is estimated that 30,000 to 750,000 people were killed over the course of the Qey Shibir.
How many people died during Red Terror in Ethiopia?
Between 1976 and 1978, a Marxist government in Ethiopia killed as many as 500,000 of the country’s citizens in a bloodbath called the Red Terror. The terror grew out of a relatively peaceful movement to end the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie.
What is the Ethiopian culture?
Ethiopian Society and Culture Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. Religion is a major influence in Ethiopian life. Nearly half the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church but there is a also large Muslim population. Others adhere to an ancient form of Judaism.
What is Ethiopia known for producing?
Principal crops include coffee, pulses (e.g., beans), oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, and vegetables. Exports are almost entirely agricultural commodities, and coffee is the largest foreign exchange earner. Ethiopia is also Africa’s second biggest maize producer.
What does Derg mean in Ethiopia?
(The name is taken from Ge’ez, the ancient language of Ethiopia; “derg” means committee.) The hundred or so members of the Derg were mostly junior military officers, drawn from all provinces of Ethiopia; its Chairman was Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam.
What is the history and culture of Ethiopia?
Ethiopia History, Language and Culture 1 History of Ethiopia. Thanks to the discovery of the hominid fossil Lucy, Ethiopia is much touted as the cradle of humanity. 2 Ethiopia Culture. Ethiopian Orthodox Church, 43%; Islam (mainly in the east and south), 35%; Traditional religions and Protestants are also significant. 3 Language in Ethiopia.
Who opposed the Derg regime in Ethiopia?
The TPLF, EPRP, EPLF, EDU and OLF opposed and engaged in armed struggle to overthrow the Derg. Mengistu gave a free hand to his political cadres to carry out his policy. Thousands of students, teachers, workers and ordinary Ethiopians who were suspected of supporting opposition parties were imprisoned without charge, tortured and executed.
Why is Ethiopia called the cradle of humanity?
History of Ethiopia Thanks to the discovery of the hominid fossil Lucy, Ethiopia is much touted as the cradle of humanity. As part of the Land of Punt, the people here enjoyed trade with the ancient Egyptians some 5,000 years ago and then, around 3,500 years ago, Ethiopia’s first great civilisation arose.