Tesfaye Gebre Kidan Ethiopian military and political figure, lieutenant general Date of Birth: 07.1937Год Country: Ethiopia

1. Role in the Derg and the Red Terror
2. Vice-Presidency and Post-Mengistu Era
3. Fall of Addis Ababa and Exile

Lieutenant-General Tesfaye Gebre Kidan: A Military and Political Figure in Ethiopia

Lieutenant-General Tesfaye Gebre Kidan was an influential figure in Ethiopian military and politics. He served as a member of the Derg, the military junta that ruled Ethiopia under Mengistu Haile Mariam.

Role in the Derg and the Red Terror

Kidan played a significant role in the Derg and the ensuing "Red Terror" that claimed thousands of lives in Ethiopia. As Minister of Defense and Military Governor of Eritrea, he was responsible for implementing brutal measures against political opponents.

Vice-Presidency and Post-Mengistu Era

In 1989, Kidan was appointed Vice-President of Ethiopia. After Mengistu's flight from the country in 1991, Kidan briefly became acting president. He attempted to negotiate a ceasefire with rebel forces and share power, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

Fall of Addis Ababa and Exile

With the fall of Addis Ababa to rebel forces, Kidan sought refuge in the Italian embassy, where he remained for 13 years. His asylum ended abruptly in 2004 when he was killed in a violent altercation with former Foreign Minister Birhanu Bayeh. According to reports, Kidan was struck in the head with a bottle during the incident.