I'm a military man, I did what I did only because my country had to be saved from tribalism and feudalism. If I failed, it was only because I was bet…

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

Mengistu is a barbaric and cruel creature who becomes happy with the death of human beings.

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

Ethiopia did not have the same problem [of corruption]. African leaders looked at us with envy.

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

Mengistu does not understand the meaning of self-determination, either historically or in the abstract. He cannot conceive of a nation as anything bu…

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

After Mengistu consolidated his power in 1978, his personality gradually began to change. His ability to listen and his patience faded away. We could…

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

One of the fundamental preconditions of successful socialist construction is to ensure the people's readiness to defend themselves from the ravages o…

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

In this country, some aristocratic families automatically categorize persons with dark skin, thick lips, and kinky hair as "Barias" [Amharic for slav…

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

I am a revolutionary; my life is dedicated to freeing the people.

- Mengistu Haile Mariam

When [Nelson Mandela] was in prison I admired him for his moral strength... Of his period in power I can see few results. Apartheid no longer exists,…

- Mengistu Haile Mariam