The fall of Ras Tafari


Ras Tafari, or Hallie Selassie was Monarch of Ethiopia from 1930-76.  He is regarded as the Messiah, or God incarnate by Rastafarian Christians.  After his reinstatement as 'His imperial majesty' in 1942, following his exile years after the Italo-Ethiopian War, which exiled him to Britain.  With his renewed authority, he pursued modernisation programmes in Ethiopian, and was a firm proponent of collective security, Ethiopian troops fought in the Korean war for example.

Despite enormous prestige and respect abroad, as the longest serving head of state, discontent began brewing throughout his kingdom.  Student unrest was a common feature of the 1960-70s.  Marxism took root in large segments of Ethiopian intellectuals, particularly among those who had studied abroad.

In his old age, Selassie found it increasingly to maintain personal control of his empire.  it's imperial structure depended on his judgement alone, even small administrative decisions required his approval.  In his late 70s he showed no willingness to loosen his hold on power, or to discuss the matter of succession.

The discontent was a growing menace to Selassie, local rebellions broke out throughout the 1960s.  An uprising in the Southern Bale Province, where tribesmen had lost their land to Amharic settlers lasted for seven years.

Paralysed by Selassie's growing infirmity, government ministers recognised that the country's government was backward, and unsuited to the 1970s.  They took no initiative until the Wollo Famine of 1973.  The government was aware of the disaster but made no attempt to resolve it.

In 1974, discontent within the army over pay and conditions led to a series of minor mutinies.  These coincided with a profusion of strikes throughout the Empire, protesting about famine among other grievances.

The old order soon collapsed, A group of radical army officers formed a military committee and began dismantling Selassie's imperial structure, imprisoning royals, ministers and officials.  In September 1974, Selassie was 'dethroned', imprisoned and murdered by the army in August 1975.

Bibliography

The fortunes of Africa - Meredith 

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