Travel information on Security & Safety for visitors in Ethiopia

May – A month of holidays in Ethiopia

Arbegenoch – Ethiopian Patriots

There are a number of upcoming holidays in the merry month of May:

The May Day holiday on 1 May (Labour Day) is the first and is an internationally recognised  holiday (although the UK has moved it to the 1st Monday in May which kind of takes the magic out!)

The May 5th / Miazza 27 is Patriots Day and commemorates Haile Selassie’s triumphal return to Addis Ababa, ending the five year occupation of the city by Italian forces in World War II. In particular it honours the Ethiopian patriots (Arbegnoch) who fought for the liberation of their country alongside British (troops from Africa) and other Allied Forces from the Commonwealth countries, France and Belgium). This year, 77 years after this historic occasion, the very few surviving Patriots that are still able will lay a wreath at Arat Kilo in the centre of Addis Ababa.

Mengistu Haile Mariam

May 28th, Genbot Haya (20) is the date upon which EPRDF forces entered Addis Ababa ending the rule of Mengistu’s government which was known as the Derg.  The Derg was the name given to the committee of the military and police that coordinated the new government following the over throw of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974. The Derg, initially a temporary military committee, manoeuvred to take over the government, deposed and imprisoned the Emperor Haile Selassie in September 1974. In August 1975 he was killed in slightly mysterious circumstances. The Derg also formally abolished the monarchy and formally took on the communist ideology.

Some of the women who have been deceived to by and use purchase cialis cute-n-tiny.com Women has reported to have contracted heart problems and breathing abnormalities. Accurate reports help in arriving at cialis no prescription usa the right treatment plan. Since the generic Propecia is in demand, you can also buy propecia online Australia to the customers demand. generic levitra prices Erectile lowest prices cialis dysfunction refers to the inability to achieve and / or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse as part of a normal sexual relationship.

EPRDF forces enter Addis Ababa 28 May 1991

Mengistu Haile Mariam quickly rose through the ranks to become the chairman in 1977, enforcing the Derg’s power with a two years of brutal repression called the Red Terror that killed many thousands of innocent people, and imprisoned thousands more.  The Derg also imposed nationalisation of land and businesses, and increasingly faced armed rebellion in Eritrea and Tigray. Horrific famine followed killing maybe 100,000 people and displacing many more.

The Derg officially came to an end as a system of government in February 1987, and in September that year a new government “People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia” came into force, with however, Mengistu as a civilian still heading the

government. The collapse of Mengistu’s government became inevitable in early 1991 with EPRDF forces capturing cities such as Gondar, Bahir Dar and Dessie.  On 21 May with his government in disarray Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe where he still lives under shadow of a death sentence. On 28th May 1991, (Genbot 20) EPRDF forces entered Addis Ababa with very little fighting.

On community trek with the local kids in Meket

These holidays give you a chance for a long weekend here or there and are excellent opportunities to get out and see some of the stunning countryside and historical sights of Ethiopia. Why not book a Tesfa trek, a perfect way to see the scenery, culture and some of the wildlife that abounds in Ethiopia.

Leave a comment