Ethiopian Leader Revamps Regime as Rebels Gain
President Mengistu Haile Mariam removed his vice president and chief military strategist Friday following a series of gains by rebels seeking his ouster.
Mengistu also named a new prime minister and said Ethiopia will develop a new broad-based party to replace his ruling Marxists.
Rebels have reportedly advanced to within 55 miles of Addis Ababa, the capital, and control Ethiopia’s northern third. The recent advances prompted the United States on Thursday to order all embassy dependents and non-essential personnel out of Ethiopia.
State radio, which announced Friday’s changes, said Mengistu removed Vice President Fisseha Desta for “health reasons.”
Mengistu appointed Lt. Gen. Tesfaye Gebre-Kidan to coordinate the war effort against the rebels, a job previously held by Fisseha.
Mengistu also promoted Foreign Minister Tesfaye Dinka to prime minister and asked him to form a new Cabinet.
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