Some Thoughts about the Ethiopian Left

Abstract

The article discusses the chronology of events during the revolutionary movement of Ethiopia in 1974, which finally resulted in usurpation of power by a military junta. It then turns to look at the Ethiopian Left, which took an important part in the movement. The emergence of the Ethiopian Left, the political and social dynamics that brought about the cleavage and early differences are given due attention. The symbiotic relationship between the reform acts that the military junta undertook and the defeat of the revolutionary movement are examined in detail. Finally, the article focuses on further deterioration of the relationship of the Left, which finally resulted in a carnage that engulfed the whole country.