Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is captured by EPRDF rebels

Date: 28 May 1991
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On 28 May1991, Ethiopians People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) captured the capital of Ethiopia,Addis Ababa. The EPRDF was led by the Meles Zinawi, a popular rebel leader and probably the only candidate capable of unseating Mengistu Haile Mariam.Zinawi waged a successful rebel war against the forces of Mengistu and his appointment marked the end of years of civil war in the country. After this development, Zenawi became head of the interim government. The country was now taking a new path, moving away from the grip of ethnic strife.On taking over as head of the new government, Zenawi promised a democratic dispensation for his nation of 50 million, as well as economic and agricultural reforms.

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How we know this

01Answers.com, ‘Meles Zenawi’,From:Answers.com,[online], available at www.answers.com(Accessed: 26 April 2012)
02Boddy-Evans A. ‘This Day in African History: 28 May’, from About.com African History, [online], available at www.africanhistory.about.com(Accessed: 26 April 2012)

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, May 24). Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is captured by EPRDF rebels. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083814

South African History Online (2012) 'Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is captured by EPRDF rebels', South African History Online, 24 May. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083814 (Accessed: 22 August 2026).

South African History Online, Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is captured by EPRDF rebels [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083814, (accessed 22 August 2026).

"Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is captured by EPRDF rebels." South African History Online, 24 May 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083814. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is captured by EPRDF rebels." South African History Online. May 24, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083814.