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Mengistu Haile Mariam

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World Leader

The Resume

    (circa 1937- )
    Born in Walayata, Ethiopia
    Dictator of Ethiopia (1977-91)
    Living in exile in Zimbabwe
    Convicted in absentia on genocide charges and sentenced to death (May 26, 2008)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a Marxist.
    He had one predecessor, Atnafu Abate, executed for placing 'the interests of Ethiopia above the interests of socialism.'
    He unleashed a 'Red Terror' that killed over 100,000.
    He also withheld food shipments to rebel areas, producing at least another quarter million deaths.
    He personally executed opponents by garroting and shooting, saying he was leading by example.
    The families of his victims were charged a 'wasted bullet tax' before they could obtain the bodies for burial.
    He fled to Zimbabwe and became an official guest of Robert Mugabe.

Why he might not be annoying:

    His father was a former slave.
    Growing up, he was taunted for his dark skin.
    His government launched a campaign that improved literacy rates from 10% in 1977 to 60% in 1990.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 140 Votes: 57.86% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 60 Votes: 45.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 20 Votes: 85.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 29 Votes: 72.41% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 40 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 166 Votes: 66.87% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 34 Votes: 55.88% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 24 Votes: 54.17% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 31 Votes: 51.61% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 308 Votes: 80.19% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 144 Votes: 75.69% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 995 Votes: 67.94% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 207 Votes: 74.40% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 75.00% Annoying