Ethiopian Civil War

Quick Facts: Who was Ethiopian Civil War?

Subject:

Ethiopian Civil War

Known for:

A protracted civil conflict (1974–1991) pitting the Derg junta against various rebel groups.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Ethiopian Civil War was a civil war in Ethiopia and present-day Eritrea, fought between the Ethiopian military junta known as the Derg and Ethiopian-Eritrean anti-government rebels from 12 September 1974 to 28 May 1991. The Derg overthrew the Ethiopian Empire and Emperor Haile Selassie in a coup d'état on 12 September 1974, establishing Ethiopia as a communist state under a military junta and provisional government. Various nationalist opposition groups of ideological affiliations ranging from communist to anti-communist, often drawn from a specific ethnic background, carried out armed resistance to the Soviet-backed Derg. Groups like the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front (EPLF) and the Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) had already been fighting against the Ethiopian Empire in the northern Eritrean War of Independence and southern Ogaden insurgency. The Derg used large scale counterinsurgency military campaigns and the Qey Shibir (Red Terror) to repress the rebels.

Career & Major Achievements

Other rebel fronts such as the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) also increasingly grew in strength over the 1970s. In 1977 Somalia invaded to back the WSLF in the Ogaden, delivering a major blow to the Derg and triggering a large scale Soviet and Cuban military intervention that drove back Somali forces. While this diversion briefly enabled Eritrean rebels to advance, a Soviet‑armed Derg counteroffensive soon reversed their gains as well. By the mid-1980s, various issues such as the 1983–1985 famine, economic decline, and other after-effects of Derg policies ravaged Ethiopia, increasing popular support for the rebels. In 1984, the Eritrean rebels regained the initiative for the first time since the counteroffensive.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Derg dissolved its military junta in 1987, becoming civilianized and establishing the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) under the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE) in an attempt to maintain its rule. The Soviet Union began ending its support for the Derg in the late-1980s and the government was overwhelmed by the increasingly victorious rebel groups. The Ethiopian Civil War ended on 28 May 1991 when the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition of left-wing ethnic rebel groups, entered the capital Addis Ababa and President Mengistu Haile Mariam fled the country to Zimbabwe. The Derg regime was dissolved and replaced with the TPLF-led Transitional Government of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Civil War left at least 1.4 million people dead, with 1 million of the deaths being related to famine and the remainder from combat and other violence.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1974: 1974 Milestone — The Ethiopian Civil War was a civil war in Ethiopia and present-day Eritrea, fought between the Ethiopian military junta known as the Derg and Ethiopian-Eritrean anti-government rebels from 12 September 1974 to 28 May 1991.
2. 1977: 1977 Milestone — In 1977 Somalia invaded to back the WSLF in the Ogaden, delivering a major blow to the Derg and triggering a large scale Soviet and Cuban military intervention that drove back Somali forces.
3. 1983: 1983 Milestone — By the mid-1980s, various issues such as the 1983–1985 famine, economic decline, and other after-effects of Derg policies ravaged Ethiopia, increasing popular support for the rebels.
4. 1984: 1984 Milestone — In 1984, the Eritrean rebels regained the initiative for the first time since the counteroffensive.
5. 1987: 1987 Milestone — The Derg dissolved its military junta in 1987, becoming civilianized and establishing the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) under the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE) in an attempt to maintain its rule.
6. 1991: 1991 Milestone — The Ethiopian Civil War ended on 28 May 1991 when the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition of left-wing ethnic rebel groups, entered the capital Addis Ababa and President Mengistu Haile Mariam fled the country to Zimbabwe.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ethiopian Civil War

True or False: “The Ethiopian Civil War began immediately after Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown by a coup d'état on September 12, 1974.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The conflict officially started with the Derg overthrowing Emperor Haile Selassie and establishing a military junta.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Aiko Kayō — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Japanese singer and actress known for her work on the Avex Trax label.
• Alex Honnold — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Pioneering free solo climber, famous for conquering El Capitan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ethiopian Civil War