The Derg was the military committee that became Ethiopia’s dominant governing authority after overthrowing Haile Selassie in 1974. Renamed the Provisional Military Administrative Council, it pursued an Ethiopian socialist program involving land and nationalization reforms, built ties with the Soviet bloc, and later created a civilian party structure. Although military rule formally ended in 1987, many former Derg members continued to govern under new titles.
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The Story
The Derg emerged in June 1974 as the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army. Its approximately 120 members were military men, none above the rank of major, and Major Mengistu Haile Mariam was elected chairman. The organization initially remained behind the scenes, but it possessed the practical power to mobilize troops, arrest opponents, and compel concessions from the imperial government.
After Haile Selassie was arrested in September 1974, the Derg renamed itself the Provisional Military Administrative Council and proclaimed itself Ethiopia’s ruling body. Its first guiding policy, announced in January 1975, was “Ethiopia First.” Following the killing of Lieutenant General Aman Mikael Andom and fifty-nine political prisoners on November 23, later known as Bloody Saturday, Mengistu became the leading force within the organization.
The Derg abolished royal titles and abandoned constitutional monarchy in 1975. Its Program for the National Democratic Revolution called for movement toward socialism under workers, peasants, and anti-imperialist forces, together with a one-party political system. The government nationalized rural land, abolished tenancy, limited family holdings to ten hectares, prohibited the employment of farm workers, and organized peasants into associations responsible for enforcing the new rules.
Urban land and apartments were placed under kebeles, while banks, insurance firms, and important companies were nationalized. These measures disrupted rural life and alienated sections of the left, students, and teachers. The closure of Addis Ababa University and all secondary schools in September 1975 further widened opposition to the military government.
In 1977, Mengistu declared himself chairman of the Derg while the government confronted the Somali-backed struggle for the Ogaden. Soviet military assistance and Cuban troops helped Ethiopian forces drive Somali forces back toward the border by 1978. The Derg also responded to pressure from Communist allies by establishing the Commission to Organize the Party of the Workers of Ethiopia, followed by the Workers’ Party of Ethiopia in 1984.
A new constitution was approved in 1987, and Ethiopia became the Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in September of that year. Although a civilian government and National Shengo were introduced, many former Derg members retained control under different titles. The formal end of military rule therefore produced little immediate change in the way Ethiopia was governed.
The Derg was the military committee that became Ethiopia’s dominant governing authority after overthrowing Haile Selassie in 1974. Renamed the Provisional Military Administrative Council, it pursued an Ethiopian socialist program involving land and nationalization reforms, built ties with the Soviet bloc, and later created a civilian party structure. Although military rule formally ended in 1987, many former Derg members continued to govern under new titles.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Derg emerged in June 1974 as the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army. Its approximately 120 members were military men, none above the rank of major, and Major Mengistu Haile Mariam was elected chairman. The organization initially remained behind the scenes, but it possessed the practical power to mobilize troops, arrest opponents, and compel concessions from the imperial government.
After Haile Selassie was arrested in September 1974, the Derg renamed itself the Provisional Military Administrative Council and proclaimed itself Ethiopia’s ruling body. Its first guiding policy, announced in January 1975, was “Ethiopia First.” Following the killing of Lieutenant General Aman Mikael Andom and fifty-nine political prisoners on November 23, later known as Bloody Saturday, Mengistu became the leading force within the organization.
The Derg abolished royal titles and abandoned constitutional monarchy in 1975. Its Program for the National Democratic Revolution called for movement toward socialism under workers, peasants, and anti-imperialist forces, together with a one-party political system. The government nationalized rural land, abolished tenancy, limited family holdings to ten hectares, prohibited the employment of farm workers, and organized peasants into associations responsible for enforcing the new rules.
Urban land and apartments were placed under kebeles, while banks, insurance firms, and important companies were nationalized. These measures disrupted rural life and alienated sections of the left, students, and teachers. The closure of Addis Ababa University and all secondary schools in September 1975 further widened opposition to the military government.
In 1977, Mengistu declared himself chairman of the Derg while the government confronted the Somali-backed struggle for the Ogaden. Soviet military assistance and Cuban troops helped Ethiopian forces drive Somali forces back toward the border by 1978. The Derg also responded to pressure from Communist allies by establishing the Commission to Organize the Party of the Workers of Ethiopia, followed by the Workers’ Party of Ethiopia in 1984.
A new constitution was approved in 1987, and Ethiopia became the Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in September of that year. Although a civilian government and National Shengo were introduced, many former Derg members retained control under different titles. The formal end of military rule therefore produced little immediate change in the way Ethiopia was governed.