7.2.1 Attempts at Socio-Economic Reform A Presentation on the Derg's Efforts to Transform Ethiopia The Edget ehibiret Zemecha Campaign: In December 197¢, the Derg initiated the Edget Behibiret Zemecha campaign, which aimed to transform the lives of peasants through programs like literacy campaigns and land. reform. However, the campaign faced opposition from the civilian left. Change in Slogan and Adoption of Ethiopian Socialism: To appease the opposition, the Derg changed its slogan from "Ethiopia First” to "Ethiopian Socialism.” It embraced slogans like Ethiopian Unity or Death and Revolutionary Motherland or Death, aligning itself with socialist ideals, Nationalization of Banks, Companies, and Land Reform: In 1975, the Derg nationalized banks, insurance companies, and over seventyprivate commercial and industrial companies. In March 1975, a radical land reform proclamation was made, abolishing private land ownership and setting limits on family holdings. Mass Mobilization and Campaigns: The Derg believed in mass mobilization for various causes. They launched campaigns like the "Green Campaign” for economic development, the literacy campaign, and the "Red Star Campaign” to address the Eritrean problem. However, only the literacy campaign achieved some success, Challenges and Consequences: Nationalization hindered private initiative and introduced bureaucratic management. The state gained significant power to reward or penalize. The Derg used peasant associations to control the countryside and urban dwellers’ associations (kebele) to control towns. The struggle between the Derg and opposition groups, like the EPRP, led toa civil war scenario and the implementation of the "Red Terror.”v Despite its attempts at socio-economic reform, the Derg faced challenges and its policies had mixed results. The presentation has provided an overview of the Derg's efforts and the consequences of its actions during this period of Ethiopian history. The Fall of the Derg Regime in Ethiopia & Presentation on the Political and Socioeconomic Factors Leading to its Downfall The Aggression of the State of Somalia: The aggression of the State of Somalia provided an opportunity for the Derg regime to rally the population to its side. The severing of relations with the USA and the subsequent agreements with Moscow strengthened the regime's position. Challenges in the North: In the north, Eritrean insurgents and the Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU) posed threats to the Derg regime. However, by the end of 1978, the Eritreaninsurgents were pushed back and the EDU was crushed near the Ethio-Sudan borderland. Fragmentation of Marxist-Leninist Organizations: The Union of Ethiopian Marxist— Leninist Organizations fell apart with the defection of Meison from the Derg. The strategy of merging political organizations was replaced by recruiting individuals loyal to Mengistu Haile- Mariam, Restructuring Mass Organizations: To gain more control, the Derg restructured mass organizations. The All Ethiopia Trade Union (AETU), All Ethiopia Peasants’ Association (AEPA), Revolutionary Ethiopian Women's Association (REWA), and Revolutionary Ethiopian Youth Association (REYA) were established to ensure government control. The Birth of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: In 1987, the Shengo proclaimed. the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE), marking the peak of the regime'scontrol, Colonel Mengistu became President of PPRE, Secretary-General of the Workers’ Party of Ethiopia (WPE), and Commander-in-Chief of the national armed forces. Challenges and International Politics: The Derg faced challenges such as devastating famines in 1972-1974 and 198¢-1985, which highlighted the failure of economic policies. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the changing international dynamics also weakened the regime's position. The Final blow: TPLE and the Fall of the Derg: The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) played « crucial role in the downfall of the Derg. Grounded on the grievances of the Tigray people, the TPLE aimed to secure self— determination within Ethiopia. Their military successes, including capturing key strongholds, ultimately led to the fall of the Derg regime.v The fall of the Derg regime in Ethiopia was influenced by various political, socioeconomic, and international factors, The aggression of Somalia, challenges in the north, fragmentation of Marxist-Leninist organizations, restructuring of mass organizations, and the rise of the TPLE all contributed to the regime's downfall. The Role of Marxist Organizations: The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLE) was formed in February 1976 asa small guerrilla band in northern Ethiopia. They initially engaged ina struggle against other armed groups like the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Army (EPRA) and the Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU). The TPLE grew in strength and eventually became a key player in the downfall of the Derg regime. TPLE's Military Successes: The TPLE successfully fought back against the offensives launched by the Derg regime in the early 1980s. In February 1984, the TPLE achieved a decisive victory at Enda-Selassie, Western Tigray,capturing tens of thousands of government troops and forcing their withdrawal from the region, This victory allowed the TPLF to take control of Tigray and begin advancing into neighboring provinces. Dissatisfaction within the Army: Dissatisfaction with Mengistu's regime and the exhausting war in the north had been growing within the higher echelons of the Ethiopian army, In May 1989, commanders from various military units attempted a coup against Mengistu while he was out of the country. However, the coup was poorly organized, and loyal palace troops quickly encircled and arrested the coup leaders, Formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF): After liberating Tigray, the TPLE formed a larger front known as the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The EPRDE included member organizations such as the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (EPDM), the Oromo People's DemocraticOrganization (OPPO), and the Ethiopian Democratic Of ficers' Revolutionary Movement (EDORM). Other liberation fronts also joined the EPRDF. EPRDF's Military Victories: In 1990 and 1941, EPRDPF forces launched successful campaigns, driving the Derg regime out of Gondar, Goj jam, Wollo, and parts of Wallagga and Shewa. They approached the capital, Addis Ababa, from the north and west. In May 1991, while negotiations for a peaceful end to the conflict were underway, Mengistu fled the country, leaving no resistance for the remaining Derg troops. End of the Derg Regime: On May 28, 1941, EPRDF forces triumphantly entered Addis Ababa, marking the end of the Derg regime. Mengistu fled to Nairobi and later to Harare, Zimbabwe. The de facto independence of Eritrea was announced, and negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the conflict continued, The downfall of the Derg regime paved the way for a new era in Ethiopian history,v The fall of the Derg regime in Ethiopia was influenced by various factors, including the rise of Marxist organizations like the TPLF, their military successes, internal dissatisfaction within the army, and the formation of the EPRDPF. These combined efforts, along with the weakening of the Derg regime, led to its ultimate downfall and the beginning of a new chapter in Ethiopia's history.