The Derg refers to the ruling committee of Ethiopia from 1974 until 1987. The word derg means a committee or council in Amharic.

The Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, or just the Derg (Committee), was formed in June 1974 by military officers following widespread mutiny in the armed forces of Ethiopia in early 1974. The number of committee members was originally about 120. No new members were ever admitted, and the number decreased, especially in the first few years, as some members were expelled or killed. The committee elected Major Mengistu Haile Mariam as its chairman and Major Atnafu Abate as its vice-chairman.

In the months following its founding, the power of the Derg steadily increased. In July the Derg obtained key concessions from the Emperor, Haile Selassie. In August, after a proposed consitution creating a constitutional monarchy was rejected by the Emperor, the Derg began a program of dismantling the imperial government. After popular demonstrations against the Emperor, the Derg deposed and imprisoned him on September 12, 1974. On September 15, the committee renamed itself the Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC) and took control of the government. Haile Selassie died in captivity on August 22, 1975.

After internal conflicts, by November 1977 Mengistu had gained undisputed leadership of the Derg. In 1987 the Derg was formally dissolved and the country became the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under a new constitution. Many of the committee members remained in key posts, however, including Mengistu. The Mengistu government was toppled by a coalition of rebel forces in 1991, thus ending the era of the Derg.

See also: History of Ethiopia

External link

• ETHIOPIA - A Country Study http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ettoc.html (at the Library of Congress)