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Toronto – It is not common that the personal life of Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam is shared in public after he left the country.Perhaps it was his daughter Tigist Mengistu (MD) who shared, perhaps for a first time, a picture she took with him in March this year. It went viral among Ethiopians on social media.
Today the news of Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam is dominating timelines of Ethiopian social media users. He celebrated his 83 birthday in Harare. This time it is not his daughter Tigist who shared the story. In the pictures circulating on social media, Guenet Ayele- Paris-based Ethiopian journalist, who published Memoirs of colonel Mengistu Hailemariam, is seen but it is unclear if she is the one who shared the story. Apart from a group of people – possibly his fans- , his spouse – Woizero Wubanchi Bishaw is seen in the picture.
Colonel Mengistu led Ethiopia for 17 years until he left the country in May 1991 in mysterious circumstances. There is still an ongoing debate as to how he found himself in Harare. While his detractors project the narrative that he “fled the country” upon realizing that his forces lost to the then guerrilla forces – Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). On the other hand, there is a story that paints a picture of Colonel Mengistu as a leader who found himself in Harare in an orchestrated political plot. Those who seem to hold this view tend to see western – particularly American plot in this.
One thing that many seem to agree on is that Colonel Mengistu was not a corrupt leader and that he relentlessly worked for the Unity of Ethiopia.
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What a smart man! He had what it took to outsmart and outmaneuver his opponents. It was told that in one of his heydays in Addis/Finfine he came upon one of the prisoners accused of a plot to overthrow him. The prisoner boldly told Mengistu he will face the ultimate justice soon and Mengistu responded by telling the prisoner he will never live the day to see that. Then the prisoner was badly manhandled by Mengistu’s security guards and taken to the killing room. He was strangled to death. Mengistu was right in his prediction. He has outlived his rivals and has gained now new later days fans. How strange are we becoming?
Who is this young man in blue denim outfit standing first from right? He has the looks of the late renowned actor Lou Gossett jr. He should give acting a try berating new military recruits with ‘Get down and give me fifty!’ just like Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley.