The Derg was a military junta that ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1987. It came to power after overthrowing Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974, marking the end of the Ethiopian monarchy that had lasted for centuries. The Derg's full name was the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, and it was initially composed of junior military officers and enlisted men. They claimed to be motivated by the desire to address Ethiopia’s political corruption, economic stagnation, and widespread poverty under Haile Selassie’s regime.

Initially, the Derg was relatively united in its goal of transforming Ethiopia into a socialist state, drawing inspiration from Marxist-Leninist principles. It declared Ethiopia a socialist republic in 1975 and nationalized industries, banks, and large tracts of land. However, the Derg's rule soon became characterized by brutal repression, political purges, and internal factionalism. The period known as the "Red Terror," which began in 1977, saw the government launch a campaign of violence against political opponents, particularly against groups like the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and the All-Ethiopia Socialist Movement (MEISON). Thousands of people were tortured, executed, or disappeared during this period, and the Derg's leader, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, became notorious for his ruthlessness.

Mengistu rose to power within the Derg by eliminating rivals and consolidating control. Under his leadership, the Derg adopted an even more authoritarian and militarized approach to governance. The Derg's rule also saw Ethiopia embroiled in several conflicts, including a war with Somalia over the Ogaden region, as well as numerous internal conflicts with separatist movements and opposition groups, such as the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The Derg's economic policies led to further hardship for Ethiopia's population, and famine devastated parts of the country during the 1980s. The government’s inability to adequately address the famine crisis, combined with ongoing repression, contributed to growing domestic and international opposition to the regime.

In 1987, Mengistu attempted to legitimize his rule by dissolving the Derg and establishing the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. However, this was largely a rebranding of the military junta rather than a genuine shift towards democratic governance. By the late 1980s, the Derg was increasingly losing control of the country, as various rebel groups gained ground in their efforts to overthrow the regime. Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe in 1991 as rebel forces, led by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), closed in on Addis Ababa. This marked the end of the Derg’s rule and ushered in a new era in Ethiopian politics.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derg