What’s your thought on Mengistu Hailemariam and the Derg?

I feel like there’s so much revisionism about the Derg. It’s to the point people think everything told about the Derg is just bs propaganda by TPLF/EPRDF. Like most topics in Ethiopia I know this debate is also very polarized, but I never understood how a man who conducted the red terror is regarded as patriotic.

Personally, I think like any leader he has his strengths and his flaws. His commitment to decreasing illiteracy in Ethiopia was remarkable. I get that in theory wanting more for poor farmers “meret le arashu” is a nice idea too, but practically that’s never been beneficial to modernizing farming or increasing productivity. Also, his “one Ethiopia” program might have been aimed at increasing civilian cohesion. Ofcourse we can’t forget that he fought hard (although with support) against Somali invasion. However, I can’t look past his bloody violent crackdown on Ethiopia. His government killed people for sport. The torture of civilians was so widespread that it was normal. There was corruption within “kebeles”. So, imo the fall of his regime is the best thing that has happened to Ethiopia.

What’s your thought?