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General-Aman-Mikael-Adom-

Aman Mikael Andom (Tigrinya: ኣማን ሚካኤል ዓንዶም; June 21, 1924 to November 23, 1974) was a general of Eritrean origin and the first post-imperial head of state. He was appointed to this post after the coup that toppled Emperor Haile Selassie on September 12, 1974, and served until his death in a shootout with his former supporters. He was the only moderate member of the communist DERG regime and tried to avoid bloodshed.

As an Eritrean, General Aman found himself at odds with most of the Derg's supporters. He wanted to negotiate a peaceful settlement; his opponents hoped to crush the ELF by military force. Aman made two personal visits to Eritrea, the first from August 25 to September 6 and the second in November, delivering speeches in which he stated that the end of the imperial regime was also the end of the old genocidal practices towards Eritrea, I speak of a government dedicated to unity and national progress would restore peace and prosperity to Eritrea and eventually initiate investigations into the crimes the Ethiopian army had perpetrated against the Eritreans and punish those responsible.

General Aman responded with a personal campaign to seek support outside Derg, among the rest of the army and the country where he was popular. On November 15, he sent a message to all military units saying that he differed from the Derg's methods. During a general assembly of the Derg two days later, Mengistu Haile Mariam demanded that 5,000 men be sent to Eritrea and six imprisoned Imperial officers executed; Aman Andom refused, resigned his official positions in protest and retired to his home where he secretly sent appeals to his followers, especially those of the Third Division. But Mengistu Haile Mariam managed to intercept these appeals.

Andom didn't want to be some kind of dictator, but he wanted to be an elected president and establish democracy. Between 1974 and 1979, the DERG will eliminate the last supporters and friends of Andom, to establish a communist dictatorship.

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