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 betrayed. The so-called genocide was nothing more than just a war in defence of the revolution and a system from which all have benefited.

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.

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.

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

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

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

After Mengistu consolidated his power in 1978, his personality gradually began to change. His ability to listen and his patience faded away. We could now see these qualities were pretences only; he had been putting on his best behavior in his bid for support.