Mengistu Haile Mariam's flight from Ethiopia in May 1991 marked a turning point in the country's tumultuous history. After more than a decade of brutal civil war that commenced in 1974, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), was making significant territorial gains. By this time, the EPRDF had already captured several important cities and was advancing toward the capital, Addis Ababa. Faced with the inevitable collapse of his regime, Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe, where he was granted asylum. His departure signaled the end of an era of oppressive rule characterized by human rights violations and widespread famine during the 1980s.The conditions in Ethiopia had been dire for years. The Derg, a military junta led by Mengistu, had taken control in the aftermath of the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974. Mengistu's government was notorious for its brutal tactics, including the 'Red Terror' campaign, aimed at eradicating opposition. As rebel forces grew in strength and international pressure mounted, the regime's hold on power weakened. The EPRDF's capture of Addis Ababa on the day of Mengistu's flight effectively ended the Ethiopian Civil War, bringing rebellion groups to power and paving the way for a federal democratic republic.Following Mengistu's departure, the EPRDF established a transitional government, marking a critical shift in Ethiopian politics. The new administration sought to address ethnic divisions and integrate various regional interests into governance, striving to foster unity in diversity amidst a history of conflict. The legacy of Mengistu's rule and subsequent flight continues to shape Ethiopia's political discourse and the challenges the country faces in the post-Mengistu era.