Mengistu Lemma (1928–1988) was an Ethiopian military officer and politician who played a significant role during the period of political upheaval and revolution in Ethiopia, particularly during the Ethiopian Civil War and the Derg regime.

Early Life and Background

Born: 1928, in the village of Lemu in the Shewa province of Ethiopia.
Mengistu Lemma came from a humble background and joined the military at a young age, which led to his rise through the ranks of the Ethiopian army.

Military Career and Role in the Revolution

Mengistu Lemma’s most prominent role came during the 1960s and 1970s, when he became involved in the political turmoil surrounding the downfall of the Ethiopian monarchy and the rise of a Marxist-Leninist military government.

Involvement in the 1960 Coup Attempt:

In 1960, Mengistu Lemma was one of the military officers involved in an unsuccessful coup attempt against the regime of Emperor Haile Selassie.
This coup, led by a faction of the military and backed by some high-ranking officials, sought to overthrow Haile Selassie, but it was swiftly crushed by the loyalist forces, resulting in the execution or imprisonment of many involved in the uprising, including Mengistu.

The Rise of the Derg:

The major turning point in Mengistu Lemma’s life came after the Ethiopian Revolution in 1974, which led to the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie. The military group known as the Derg (the Provisional Military Administrative Council), which Mengistu Lemma was part of, played a central role in the coup.
Following the overthrow of Haile Selassie, the Derg took control of Ethiopia, initially in the form of a provisional government. Mengistu Lemma became a prominent member of this group as it transitioned to power.

Role in the Derg Regime and the Red Terror

The Derg, under Mengistu Haile Mariam (no relation to Mengistu Lemma), gradually transformed into a Marxist-Leninist dictatorship after its initial reforms, which included land redistribution and nationalization of key industries.
Mengistu Lemma, however, was an important figure in the internal power struggles that emerged in the Derg. He was part of the faction that supported Mengistu Haile Mariam and became one of the key figures in the Red Terror—a brutal campaign from 1977 to 1978 to eliminate perceived enemies of the regime, including both leftist opponents and former imperial loyalists.
The Red Terror was a period of extreme violence and political repression in which thousands of Ethiopians were killed, arrested, or tortured for suspected counter-revolutionary activities. Mengistu Lemma, though not the primary leader of the campaign, played a role in implementing the Derg’s policies.

Political Downfall and Exile

In 1977, the power struggle within the Derg escalated. Mengistu Lemma fell out of favor with Mengistu Haile Mariam, who solidified his control over the government. Mengistu Lemma was accused of plotting against the regime and was forced into exile.
After leaving Ethiopia, Mengistu Lemma moved to Europe and lived in relative obscurity until his death.

Death

Mengistu Lemma passed away in 1988, in Sweden, where he had lived in exile after being forced out of Ethiopian politics.

Legacy and Historical Context

Role in the Ethiopian Revolution: Mengistu Lemma’s legacy is closely tied to the Ethiopian Revolution of 1974 and the subsequent political violence under the Derg regime. While his role in the Red Terror is controversial, he was part of a broader military effort to reshape Ethiopia in a Marxist-Leninist image.
Political Repression: His involvement in the purges of political opponents is a dark chapter in Ethiopia’s modern history, and many view the Derg’s rule as a period of brutal repression, civil war, and famine.
Exile and Obscurity: After falling from power, Mengistu Lemma lived out the rest of his life in exile, largely forgotten by the broader Ethiopian populace, and his death went largely unnoticed in comparison to the events that defined his earlier life.

In Conclusion

Mengistu Lemma was a significant figure in Ethiopia’s turbulent political history, particularly during the period of the Ethiopian Civil War and the Derg regime. While not as well-known as Mengistu Haile Mariam, who became the leader of Ethiopia after 1977, Mengistu Lemma’s role in the military and in the power struggles that led to the Derg’s control of Ethiopia has earned him a place in Ethiopia’s complex and often painful history of revolution and dictatorship.