About Ethiopia
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Brief Recent History
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selassie (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces. A constitution was adopted in 1994. Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990's ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. In August 2012, longtime leader Prime Minister Meles Zenawi died in office. He was replaced by his Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who remained in office until his resignation in February 2018. Click here for
Statistical Information from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency about Ethiopia that includes background information, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, transportation, military and security, and transnational issues. ---------------------------------------- For detailed statistical information regarding mortality rates, health indicators, education, and other factors as recorded by UNICEF, click here. |