'In due course, Ethiopia will be a powerful and prosperous country and remain a leader of Africa'

A half century ago, a Marxist-Leninist military junta known as the Derg seized power in Ethiopia, overthrowing Emperor Haile Selassie and a monarchy that had ruled Ethiopia for 700 years. Tens of thousands died at the hands of the new regime, which ruled with callous brutality until its own overthrow in 1991. Its 87-year-old leader Mengistu Haile Mariam lives on quietly in Zimbabwe despite being convicted of genocide and sentenced to death in absentia in 2008. Let's now delve into history, taking a look back at this seismic event 50 years ago that forever changed the course of history for Ethiopia. FRANCE 24 is joined by South African Journalist specialising in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa Martin Plaut. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.


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