Book by Former Military Officer Dawit Shifaw Looks into the Derg Regime of Ethiopia

Dawit Shifaw published “The Diary of Terror: Ethiopia 1974 to 1991” (Trafford, 2012), which provides readers a closer look into Ethiopia’s modern history of internal conflict especially that of the military committee, known as the Derg, that ruled the country immediately after the emperor was overthrown.
 
Discontent was an all-time high in Ethiopia during the 1960s and 1970s. Peasants rose up against the feudal landlords and aristocrats; civilians took to the streets to air their grievances and make demands; exiles condemned the emperor from abroad; and certain ethnic groups battled for greater autonomy or independence. The military took advantage of the unrest to wrestle control of the country from Emperor Haile Selassie, whom they disposed of in 1974.
 
The Derg emerged popular following their coup against the emperor and enjoyed the support of the masses. However, they later alienated the people with their poor governance, inappropriate policies, and political repression. Mengistu, who came to power after the execution of his predecessor, ordered his political foes arrested and executed. The socio-political situation in Ethiopia worsened due to the rebellion in Eritrea and Tigray, Somalia’s invasion of the Ogaden region, and the devastating famine of 1984-1985.
 
“The Diary of Terror” was written based on the author’s personal experience of the events, being a member of the military that time, and his conversations with Derg officials. Despite the risks, the author bravely took notes and secured them in hopes that future generations of Ethiopians will learn the truth about the country’s violent political past. 
 
“The Diary of Terror: Ethiopia 1974 to 1991” is available at Amazon and Trafford.
 
Readers could reach the author through email at dshifaw@yahoo.com
 
 
The Diary of Terror: Ethiopia 1974 to 1991
Written by Dawit Shifaw
Published by Trafford Publishing
Published date: July 20, 2012
Paperback price: $16.26
 
About the Author
 
The author was in the navy when the military came to power in Ethiopia. Some of the officers who formed the military council that overthrew the emperor of Ethiopia and ruled the country were his classmates and co-workers who shared him what they were doing. The author was a university graduate of political science and one of the 250 officers and men who were sent to the former USSR in 1979 for training in party political work. He was a head of research and documentation in the armed forces and a newspaper editor.
 

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