5.

Explain the main factors for the downfall of the derg and the seizure of power by EPRDF
forces

The downfall of the Derg regime in Ethiopia and the seizure of power by the Ethiopian People's
Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) were complex events that unfolded over a period of
time.

Here are some of the main factors that contributed to the downfall of the Derg and the rise of the
EPRDF:

1. Economic Mismanagement:

 The Derg, which came to power in 1974, implemented socialist economic policies that
resulted in mismanagement, inefficiency, and economic decline.

 Land redistribution and nationalization of industries negatively impacted productivity,

leading to economic stagnation and widespread poverty.

2. Famine and Humanitarian Crisis:

 The Derg's policies, combined with drought and other natural factors, led to a devastating
famine in the mid-1980s. The government's response to the famine was widely criticized
for its inadequacy and misuse of international aid.

3. Authoritarian Rule and Repression:

 The Derg regime, under Mengistu Haile Mariam, was characterized by brutal
authoritarianism and widespread human rights abuses.

 The regime suppressed political opposition, leading to a climate of fear and dissent
among the population.

4. Ethnic Diversity and Nationalism:

 Ethiopia is a diverse country with various ethnic groups. The Derg's attempt to impose a
unitary state faced resistance from ethnic nationalist movements.

 The EPRDF, on the other hand, embraced a federal system that recognized and respected
ethnic diversity.

5. International Isolation:
  The Derg's alignment with the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War led to international
isolation, especially after the fall of the socialist regimes in Eastern Europe.

 The loss of support from the Soviet Union and other allies weakened the Derg both
economically and politically.

6. Formation and Strength of EPRDF:

 The EPRDF, a coalition of rebel groups, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front
(TPLF), emerged as a powerful force against the Derg.

 The EPRDF successfully formed alliances with other ethnic-based rebel movements,
creating a united front against the government.

 The regime was thus weakened in the countryside—not least in southern Ethiopia, where
the long-dormant Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) became active.

7. Military Setbacks:

 The Derg faced military setbacks in various regions of the country as rebel forces gained
strength and popular support.

 The EPRDF, with effective military strategies and support, inflicted defeats on the Derg's
military forces.

8. Popular Uprising:

 Civil unrest and protests against the Derg's rule gained momentum in urban centers, with
widespread dissatisfaction among the population.

 The combination of internal dissent and military pressure from rebel forces contributed to
the Derg's downfall.
By May 1991, with EPRDF forces controlling Tigray, Welo, Gonder, Gojam, and about half of
Shewa, it was obvious that the army did not have sufficient morale, manpower, weapons,
munitions, and leadership to stop the rebels’ advance on Addis Ababa.
In 1991, the EPRDF forces, led by the TPLF, captured Addis Ababa, marking the end of the
Derg regime. This event paved the way for the establishment of a new government in Ethiopia,
with the EPRDF playing a central role in the subsequent political landscape.
Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe, and on May 28 the EPRDF took power.