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

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.

Mengistu seemed to symbolize the revolution. He was the baria, the slave who overthrew the master, the member of the conquered tribe who got even with the conquerors, the poorly educated son of a servant who rose against the intellectual elite.

Henceforth we will tackle our enemies that come face to face with us and we will not be stabbed in from behind by internal foes. To this end, we will arm the allies and comrades of the broad masses without giving respite to reactionaries, and avenge the blood of our comrades double - and triple - fold.

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.

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, at least to all appearances, but no one understands what the new government in South Africa is doing.