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Quote by Mengistu Haile Mariam

“In this country, some aristocratic families automatically categorize persons with dark skin, thick lips, and kinky hair as "Barias" [Amharic for slave]... let it be clear to everybody that I shall soon make these ignoramuses stoop and grind corn!”

Quote by Mengistu Haile Mariam

Author

Mengistu Haile Mariam

Mengistu Haile Mariam was a significant Ethiopian politician who served as Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1977 to 1991. Born on May 21, 1937, he led a period of radical social and economic reforms, as well as a brutal civil war that lasted for over a decade. more

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“I'm a military man, I did what I did only because my country had to be saved from tribalism and feudalism. If I failed, it was only because I was betrayed. The so-called genocide was nothing more than just a war in defence of the revolution and a system from which all have benefited.”

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Author:Mengistu Haile Mariam

“We thought that the proletariat would eventually run the world. But it is the Americans who have assumed that position... The American people have changed.”

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“Ethiopia did not have the same problem [of corruption]. African leaders looked at us with envy.”

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“Mengistu seemed to symbolize the revolution. He was the baria, the slave who overthrew the master, the member of the conquered tribe who got even with the conquerors, the poorly educated son of a servant who rose against the intellectual elite.”

Son Masters Revolution Members Intellectual Rose Slave Educated Servant Elites Tribes Conqueror

Author:Mengistu Haile Mariam

“After Mengistu consolidated his power in 1978, his personality gradually began to change. His ability to listen and his patience faded away. We could now see these qualities were pretences only; he had been putting on his best behavior in his bid for support.”

Ability Quality Support Personality Behavior Faded Pretence

Author:Mengistu Haile Mariam

“Everything Mengistu has done since 1977 has been to place himself in a position of uncontestable power. Neither Haile Selassie nor any of the previous emperors had this insatiable thirst for power.”

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“Mengistu does not understand the meaning of self-determination, either historically or in the abstract. He cannot conceive of a nation as anything but an absolute centralized authority, totalitarianism, for his rule is nothing less than that now.”

Doe Self Nations Authority Determination Absolutes Abstract Self Determination Totalitarianism

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“From now on you must pray for your people and yourself three times a day.”

People Three Praying Three Times Praying For You

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“Africa's downfall has always been the cult of the personality. And their names always seem to begin with M. We've had Mobutu and Mengistu and I'm not going to add Meles to the list.”

Seems Names Personality Add Lists Cult Downfall

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“Mengistu is a barbaric and cruel creature who becomes happy with the death of human beings.”

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Author:Mengistu Haile Mariam