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

We thought that the proletariat would eventually run the world. But it is the Americans who have assumed that position... The American people have changed.

From now on you must pray for your people and yourself three times a day.

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

In this country, some aristocratic families automatically categorize persons with dark skin, thick lips, and kinky hair as "Barias" [Amharic for slave]... let it be clear to everybody that I shall soon make these ignoramuses stoop and grind corn!

Everything Mengistu has done since 1977 has been to place himself in a position of uncontestable power. Neither Haile Selassie nor any of the previous emperors had this insatiable thirst for power.

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