The foreign policy orientation and relatons of the Dergue military regime
The Dergue military regime, which ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1987, had an anti-Western, socialist foreign policy orientation. The regime believed in the ideology of Marxism-Leninism and viewed the West, particularly the United States, as imperialist aggressors seeking to exploit the resources of developing nations, including Ethiopia.
The Dergue regime sought closer relations with the Soviet Union and other communist countries, including Cuba, East Germany, North Korea, and Yugoslavia. The regime received military assistance from these countries, including training, weapons, and equipment.
The Dergue regime also supported leftist anti-colonial movements in Africa, such as the African National Congress in South Africa, the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Middle East, and the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. The regime provided military and financial support to these movements and allowed them to establish offices and training camps in Ethiopia.
In terms of regional relations, the Dergue regime had a hostile relationship with Somalia, which had territorial claims on Ethiopia's Ogaden region. The two countries fought a brief war in 1977-78, which Ethiopia won with the help of Soviet and Cuban military assistance.
The Dergue regime also had a tense relationship with neighboring Sudan, which accused Ethiopia of supporting rebels in Sudan's southern region. The two countries engaged in intermittent border skirmishes and diplomatic disputes during the Dergue regime's rule.
Overall, the foreign policy orientation of the Dergue military regime was anti-Western, socialist, and aligned with the Soviet bloc and other communist countries. The regime supported leftist anti-colonial movements in Africa and had tense relations with neighboring countries, particularly Somalia and Sudan.
The Dergue military regime, officially known as the Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia, governed Ethiopia from 1974 to 1987. During its rule, the Dergue implemented a socialist agenda and pursued a foreign policy that was primarily aligned with the Soviet Union and other communist countries.
1. Rise to Power: The Dergue came to power in 1974 following a period of political instability in Ethiopia. Its leader, Mengistu Haile Mariam, established a Marxist-Leninist government and embarked on a series of radical political and economic reforms.
2. Relationship with the Soviet Union: One of the primary pillars of the Dergue's foreign policy was its alliance with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union provided military, economic, and political support to the Dergue regime. This alliance helped the Dergue consolidate its power and execute its socialist policies.
3. Relationship with Other Socialist Countries: In addition to the Soviet Union, the Dergue established close ties with other socialist and communist countries, such as Cuba, North Korea, and East Germany. These countries provided aid, military training, and ideological support to the Dergue regime.
4. Cold War Dynamics: During its rule, Ethiopia became a key battleground in the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Dergue regime was seen as a Soviet-backed government, which increased tensions with the United States, who had previously maintained close ties with the Ethiopian monarchy.
5. Conflict with Somalia: The Dergue regime also faced a significant challenge in its relations with neighboring Somalia. The two countries engaged in a territorial dispute over the Ogaden region, leading to a full-scale war in 1977. The Dergue received military support from the Soviet Union, while Somalia was backed by the United States. The conflict eventually ended with Ethiopian victory, which further solidified the Dergue's position and strengthened its ties with the Soviet Union.
6. Regional Influence: The Dergue regime sought to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa region. It provided support to various communist and socialist movements in neighboring countries, such as Eritrea, Djibouti, and Sudan. The Dergue also played a role in the creation of the Democratic Republic of Somalia in 1980, a communist state in Ethiopia's western neighbor.
7. Downfall and Aftermath: The Dergue's rule came to an end in 1991 following a series of internal and external pressures. Internal resistance movements, particularly the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), gained momentum, and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the loss of crucial support for the Dergue regime. Mengistu Haile Mariam fled the country, and the EPRDF took power, leading to a significant shift in Ethiopia's foreign policy orientation.
In conclusion, the Dergue regime pursued a foreign policy orientation that aligned with the Soviet Union and other socialist countries during the Cold War. Its alliance with the Soviet Union helped consolidate its power, but ultimately, the collapse of the Soviet Union and internal pressures led to its downfall.