1989 Ethiopian coup attempt explained

Conflict:	1989 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt
Width:	200px
Date:	16 May 1989
Place:	Addis Ababa, Asmera, People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Coordinates:	9.03°N 38.74°W
Result:	Coup attempt fails. Mengistu Haile Mariam remains in power.
Combatant1:	Government
Combatant2:	Military faction

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.

Coup

The coup attempt was staged by senior military officers, led by former Air Force commander, Major General Fanta Belay and 2nd Revolutionary 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]

Notes and References

Web site: Ethiopia Coup Attempt Reported; Authorities Say Revolt Is Crushed. 17 May 1989. The New York Times. 21 June 2019.
Web site: Coup in Ethiopia Seems to Be a Failure, Diplomats Say. 18 May 1989. The New York Times. 21 June 2019.
Web site: Ethiopia Leader Tells of Execution of Coup Figure. 19 May 1989. The New York Times. 21 June 2019.
Web site: Ethiopia Fizzled Coup. https://web.archive.org/web/20071104002017/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957825,00.html. dead. November 4, 2007. 29 May 1989. Time. 21 June 2019.
Web site: WORLD: Ethiopia Executes 12 in '89 Coup. 22 May 1990. The Los Angeles Times. 21 June 2019.