1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt

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1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt
Location Ethiopia AU Africa.svg
Date16 May 1989
Location
Addis Ababa, Asmera, People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
9°1′48″N 38°44′24″E / 9.03000°N 38.74000°E / 9.03000; 38.74000Coordinates: 9°1′48″N 38°44′24″E / 9.03000°N 38.74000°E / 9.03000; 38.74000
Result

Coup attempt fails.

Belligerents
Government Military faction
Commanders and leaders
Mengistu Haile Mariam
 Executed

 Executed
 Executed

The 1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt took place on 16 May 1989,[1][2] when President of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) Mengistu Haile Mariam was out of the country for a four-day state visit to East Germany.

The coup attempt was staged by senior military officers, led by former Air Force commander, Major General and 2nd Army commander, ; the Minister of Defense, , was killed by Major General after refusing to join the revolt. Mengistu returned within 24 hours and nine generals, including the then-current Air Force commander and the Army Chief of Staff, died as the coup was crushed.[3][4] After being captured, Major General Fanta Belay was killed while trying to escape. 12 more high-ranking military officers were executed in 1990 for their role in the coup attempt.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "Ethiopia Coup Attempt Reported; Authorities Say Revolt Is Crushed". The New York Times. 17 May 1989. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Coup in Ethiopia Seems to Be a Failure, Diplomats Say". The New York Times. 18 May 1989. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Ethiopia Leader Tells of Execution of Coup Figure". The New York Times. 19 May 1989. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Ethiopia Fizzled Coup". Time. 29 May 1989. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  5. ^ "WORLD: Ethiopia Executes 12 in '89 Coup". The Los Angeles Times. 22 May 1990. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
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