1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt

The 1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt took place on 16 May 1989,[1][2] while 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 the German Democratic Republic (GDR/DDR, East Germany).

1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt
Date 16 May 1989 Location Addis Ababa, People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 9°1′48″N 38°44′24″E Result Coup attempt fails. Mengistu Haile Mariam remains in power.
Belligerents
Government	Military faction
Commanders and leaders
Mengistu Haile Mariam	Fanta Belay Demessie Bulto

The coup attempt was staged by senior military officers, led by former Air Force commander, Major General Fanta Belay and 2nd Army commander, Demessie Bulto; the Minister of Defense, Haile Giyorgis Habte Mariam, was killed by Major General Abera Abebe 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. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
5. "WORLD: Ethiopia Executes 12 in '89 Coup". The Los Angeles Times. 22 May 1990. Retrieved 21 June 2019.