Union of Ethiopian Marxist–Leninist Organizations

The Union of Ethiopian Marxist–Leninist Organizations, known by its Amharic acronm Imaledih, was a coalition of communist organizations in Ethiopia active between 1977 and 1979.[1][2] Imaledih was intended as a pre-party formation, Imaledih was supposed function as the nucleus of new proletarian party. Through Imaledih, the constituent parties of the coalition would merge.[1][3] The formation of Imaledih was actively supported by the ruling Derg military junta.[4]

Imaledih was founded on February 26, 1977, by five organizations: All-Ethiopian Socialist Movement (Meison), Ethiopian Oppressed People's Revolutionary Struggle (Ichat), Ethiopian Marxist-Leninist Revolutionary Organization (Malerid), Waz League and Revolutionary Flame (Seded).[4][5][6] These were the same organizations that had formed the Provisional Office for Mass Organizational Affairs (POMOA).[2][7] However, whereas POMOA had functioned as a government departure Imaledih was (in theory) a voluntary association.[8] Imaledih published Yehebret demtse ('Voice of Unity') as its organ.[7][9]

The goal of Imaledih was to mobilize support for the National Democratic Revolution Programme and to build a new party.[5] The Imaledih programme called for the construction of a people's army, politicizing the population, increasing party membership, raising the political level of party cadres and integration of oppressed nationalities in government and party structures.[10] The formation of Imaledih followed the breakout of the Ethio-Somali war. The Imaledih factions requested to be able to provide political education to the armed forces, but President Mengistu refused to go along with this plan.[11]

Imaledih soon fell apart. Meison broke with the Derg and withdrew from the alliance in August 1977.[4][12] The dismissal of Meison from Imaledih was declared in Yehebret demtse in the same month.[13] Ichat was expelled from Imaledih in March 1978, for supposed differences over political and ideological line.[4][12]

In the views of the Derg, the Imaledih project was a failure. The Derg began seeking other ways to form a vanguard party.[2] However, even as of September 1978 President Mengistu still maintained the position that the new party would emerge from Imaledih. In his Revolution Day speech he argued that 'the foremost slogan of the day is "Let the Common Front of Ethiopian Marxist-Leninist Organizations evolve into merger!"' Mengistu's position on Imaledih changed soon thereafter, as claims were made that Waz League had infiltrated Seded and come to occupy leading posts in Seded.[7]

The member organizations of Imaledih were crushed by the Derg.[14] Meison was banned.[14] The smaller civilian factions (Malerid, Ichat and Waz League) were suppressed.[14] Even Seded, Mengistu's own group, was disbanded.[14] Imaledih was dissolved in February 1979.[7] In connection with the dissolution, Yehebret demtse declared that a new party would be formed, but not through a merger of organizations.[9] Imaledih was substituted by a new structure, the Commission for Organizing the Party of the Working People of Ethiopia.[15]

Out of the party members attending the 1984 congress of the Workers Party of Ethiopia, 1,437 (71.29%) had belonged to Imaledih.[16]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Milkias, Paulos. Ethiopia. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2011. p. 427
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Haile-Selassie, Teferra. The Ethiopian Revolution, 1974-1991: From a Monarchical Autocracy to a Military Oligarchy. London [u.a.]: Kegan Paul Internat, 1997. pp. 230-231
  3. ↑ Makonen Getu. Socialism, Participation, and Agricultural Development in Post-Revolutionary Ethiopia: A Study of Constraints. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International, 1987. p. 115
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Harjinder Singh. Agricultural Problems in Ethiopia. Delhi, India: Gian Pub. House, 1987. p. 187
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Uhlig, Siegbert. Encyclopaedia Aethiopica 3 He - N. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2007. 668
  6. ↑ Eide, Øyvind M. Revolution and Religion in Ethiopia: A Study of Church and Politics with Special Reference to the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus 1974-1985. Uppsala: [Svenska institutet för missionsforskning], Univ, 1996. p. 180
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Clapham Christopher. Transformation and Continuity in Revolutionary Ethiopia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. pp. 68-69
  8. ↑ Tiruneh, Andargachew. The Ethiopian Revolution 1974-1987 : a Transformation from an Aristocratic to a Totalitarian. Cambridge: University of Cambridge, 1995. p. 255
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tadesse, Kiflu. Ethiopia Transformation and Conflict. Silver Spring, Md: K & S Distributors [u.a.], 1998. p. 245
  10. ↑ Shinn, David H., and Thomas P. Ofcansky. Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2004. p. 337
  11. ↑ Milkias, Paulos. Haile Selassie, Western Education, and Political Revolution in Ethiopia. Youngstown, N.Y.: Cambria Press, 2006. p. 261
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 World Marxist review, Volume 27, Edition 7–12. p. 65
  13. ↑ Tiruneh, Andargachew. The Ethiopian Revolution 1974-1987 : a Transformation from an Aristocratic to a Totalitarian. Cambridge: University of Cambridge, 1995. p. 432
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Milkias, Paulos. Haile Selassie, Western Education, and Political Revolution in Ethiopia. Youngstown, N.Y.: Cambria Press, 2006. p. 266
  15. ↑ James, Wendy. Remapping Ethiopia: Socialism and After. Oxford: James Currey, 2001. p. 87
  16. ↑ Clapham Christopher. Transformation and Continuity in Revolutionary Ethiopia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p. 88
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