Who was fighting whom in the Ethiopian Civil War? This question delves into the complex web of conflict that engulfed Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991. The Ethiopian Civil War was a prolonged struggle between the Ethiopian government and various rebel factions, with the ultimate goal of toppling the oppressive regime and establishing a new political order in the country.
The Ethiopian Civil War began in 1974, following the ousting of Emperor Haile Selassie by a military coup. The new government, known as the Derg, was a military junta that ruled with an iron fist, oppressing the Ethiopian people and perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality. The war was primarily fought between the Ethiopian government, led by the Derg, and a coalition of rebel groups, including the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The Ethiopian government, under the Derg, was composed of Ethiopian military officers who sought to maintain their power and control over the country. They were opposed by a diverse range of rebel factions, each with its own set of grievances and goals. The EPRDF, for instance, sought to dismantle the central government and establish a federal system that would grant more autonomy to the various ethnic groups within Ethiopia. The OLF focused on the liberation of the Oromo people, while the TPLF aimed to bring about a democratic government in the Tigray region.
The war was characterized by brutal tactics on both sides, with countless civilian casualties and widespread destruction. The Ethiopian government employed a scorched-earth policy, destroying villages and displacing thousands of people in an attempt to weaken the rebel forces. In response, the rebels often resorted to guerrilla warfare, ambushing government troops and carrying out attacks on strategic targets.
The conflict reached its peak in the late 1980s, as the Ethiopian government became increasingly desperate to maintain its grip on power. The Derg’s repressive measures, coupled with the country’s economic decline and the devastating impact of drought, led to widespread discontent and support for the rebels. By the early 1990s, the Ethiopian government was on the brink of collapse, and the rebels were gaining momentum.
The Ethiopian Civil War finally came to an end in 1991, when the EPRDF, along with other rebel factions, succeeded in toppling the Derg and establishing a new government. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, led by Meles Zenawi, took control of the country and initiated a process of national reconciliation and democratization. The war had a profound and lasting impact on Ethiopia, reshaping the country’s political landscape and setting the stage for the challenges and opportunities that would follow in the years to come.
