Mengistu Haile Mariam

Mengistu Haile Mariam came to power after the Derg—the Marxist–Leninist junta he eventually chaired—overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974, ending a dynasty that had ruled since the 13th century. He purged rivals within the Derg and declared himself dictator, attempting to modernize Ethiopia's feudal economy through nationalization and land redistribution. His government fought the Ogaden War against Somalia in 1977–1978, relying heavily on Soviet and Cuban allies to secure victory, while simultaneously battling the Eritrean independence movement and crushing internal opposition. The catastr…