Basildon Peta
14 March 2009
Forced political exile has made many once-powerful dictators idle and impoverished. But not Mengistu Haile Mariam.
The former Ethiopian strongman, who fled to Harare in 1991 as Meles Zenawi's rebels closed in on Addis Ababa, has not only remained active in helping his generous host President Robert Mugabe sharpen tactics of repression and political longevity. He has also flourished as a businessman.
Mengistu is graced with around-the-clock security and two mansions in the affluent suburbs of Gunhill and Borrowdale. Mugabe gave him the second so he could switch between the two, after four Ethiopians tried to kill him on November 4 1995.
When Mugabe begun his destructive land seizures in February 2000, Mengistu also got two plum white-owned farms. Those who watch his movements say he drives the latest ML Mercedes Benz and travels to his farms and other places under discreet escorts. All of this is financed by the state.
When he wants, he takes a walk around his favourite Sam Levy's Village mall with his security guards in the background.
Although he does not travel often, he used his Zimbabwe government diplomatic passport for a controversial visit to South Africa for treatment of a heart problem in 1999 and for a few more surreptitious visits since, according to sources.
His four children are not ordinary refugees either. They are full Zimbabwean citizens and travel the world on their passports issued on Mugabe's directive. Highly placed sources say he gets special treatment because he is not your ordinary political exile.
Unlike Uganda's Milton Obote, who died a virtual pauper in Lusaka, Zambia, or even his compatriot Idi Amin who complained that his US$4 000 monthly stipend from his Saudi hosts was inadequate to cover his expenses and those of his 30 plus children, Mengistu "has had it all and still has it all", said one Zimbabwean intelligence official. This is because when Mugabe's octopus-style grip on power came under heavy threat from a resurgent civic society and opposition, the dictator turned to his old comrade for help.
And the fellow-Marxist who has a death sentence hanging over him in Ethiopia because of his murder of hundreds of thousands of his countrymen during his "Red Terror" reign from 1974 to 1991, had the necessary experience.
"Mengistu did not only play an advisory role, he effectively became an active employee of the CIO," said a source in the dreaded spy agency.
Mengistu worked closely with the security generals in the so-called Joint Operations Command (JOC), the military junta that has run Zimbabwe over the past few years.
He advised them on the "best tactics" for keeping the opposition and civic society at bay.
In fact, some sources claim that the murderous campaigns that Zimbabwe has witnessed over the years are a direct result of Mengistu's "wit".
"Even though he has now slowed because of health problems, he still spends long periods in private consultations with the president at State House," another source said.
Mengistu has every reason to want Mugabe to stay in power. His next port of call should Mugabe be ousted is said to be North Korea which has already approved his future asylum should the need arise. He routinely packed his bags in readiness to flee there before Zimbabwe's elections "just in case", sources say.
Over the years, he has grown accustomed to Zimbabwe and the lifestyle there. Because his residences are very close to Mugabe's and he is looked after by the state, he does not have to suffer the routine problems of power cuts, food and fuel shortages like most Zimbabweans.
Mugabe has for 18 years sternly rebuffed the Ethiopian government's demands that he hand over Mengistu to face justice for his crimes.
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Mengistu may think he has dodged justice for the crimes he committed against millions poor Ethiopian and Eritrean people. However he was not the only guilty party, those who arranged his escape including the present government in Ethiopia and his hosts in Zimbague are equally guilty of the blood shades that stained the country for 17 years under his leadership. All of them are suffering from mental tortures of their own consciousness alive and they will be thrown in to the ashes of history. If you have to go every where and sleep under security guards whether in prison or… [Read Full Text]
Mengistu may think he has dodged justice for the crimes he committed against millions poor Ethiopian and Eritrean people. However he was not the only guilty party, those who arranged his escape including the present government in Ethiopia and his hosts in Zimbague are equally guilty of the blood shades that stained the country for 17 years under his leadership. All of them are suffering from mental tortures of their own consciousness alive and they will be thrown in to the ashes of history. If you have to go every where and sleep under security guards whether in prison or… [Read Full Text]
well; while you may have a point about Mugabe´s decision to grant Mengistu asylum is not in the benefit of ordinary Zimbabweans...you missed a point in understanding WHY??..Mengistu and Robert (Mugabe )are old "brothers" in the libration struggle that gave birth to "INDEPENDENCE".....Mengistu has helped Zimbabwe in training and arming liberation fighters ...that is the reason why Mugabe feels he can not abandon an old "comrade"in need of shelter to his "fate".
ZOLA, he bought the land. He was the President of a country and did earn a wage so couldn't he buy land in Zimbabwe ? He also helped Zimbabwe during our struggle. As did China, Russia, Zambia,Mozambique, Korea and a few others. Where was your great U.S.A and U.K ? They did not want to know. They also deemed the A.N.C a terrorist group whose leader is now worshiped by these very people. Dont be suprized if Bin Laden comes back and does business with them. THEY ARE THE MOST TWO FACED PEOPLES ON THIS EARTH and that is… [Read Full Text]
Isn't Bin Laden already Mugabe's "Pal"? that may mean he can't be a friend of the "West".
Kubatana, you blimen hypercrite and racist. If it ok for Mengistu then why isn't ok for white farmers to have land. You have shot yourself in the foot again. Mengistu is known as a dictator of the worst type. look at Ethiopia now it is flourishing big time.
ZOLA, the white man cannot have Zimbabwean land because he did not buy it to start off with - HE STOLE IT ! Why do we have to go over these issues again ? Why can't you just admit that your rhodie 'bass' stole the land from the Black men? Don't be so thick man !
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My my my, since when did Ethiopian dictators become a landless black person in Zimbabwe. Two houses, two farms, what about the poor landless black Zimbabweans in dire need of land. Now we know who the real puppet master is and who's pulling Bob's strings. Takunya or Chokora or Richeison or Kubatana please enlighten the forum as how this Ex Ethiopian dictator is able to steal the land of the people who fought a long hard bloody liberation war for the people of Zimbabwe. What did Mengistu do for Zimbabwe. Tell me this, how are Mengistu's children full Zimbabwean citizens… [Read Full Text]