Tamirat Layne
Encyclopedia
Tamirat Layne is an Ethiopia
n politician. During the 1980s, he was a leader of the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (the forerunner of the Amhara National Democratic Movement
), one of the groups who fought against Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam
in the Ethiopian Civil War
.
When Mengistu was overthrown in 1991, Layne became one of the three-man EPRDF-TPLF junta ruling the country and then in the democratically elected government, the other members being Meles Zenawi
(President) and Siye Abraha (Minister of Defence). His position was Prime Minister of the Transitional Government
, in which capacity he served from June 6, 1991 until August 22, 1995, when President Meles Zenawi succeeded him as Prime Minister. Layne became deputy prime minister until October 1996, when he was sacked from both positions.
Tamirat Layne served 12 years of an 18-year sentence after a court found him guilty of corruption and embezzlement charges, and was freed on December 19, 2008. The court stated his good behaviour while in prison as a reason for his release. Since his family has relocated to US, he is expected to follow them. Tamirat Layne has, since being imprisoned, converted to evangelical Christianity and has announced that he would not participate in any political organizations but rather serve Jesus Christ and endeavor for the good of his people.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n politician. During the 1980s, he was a leader of the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (the forerunner of the Amhara National Democratic Movement
Amhara National Democratic Movement
The Amhara National Democratic Movement is a political party in Ethiopia.At the last legislative elections, 15 May 2005, the party was part of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, that won 327 out of 527 seats...
), one of the groups who fought against Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam
Mengistu Haile Mariam
Mengistu Haile Mariam is a politician who was formerly the most prominent officer of the Derg, the Communist military junta that governed Ethiopia from 1974 to 1987, and the President of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from 1987 to 1991...
in the Ethiopian Civil War
Ethiopian Civil War
The Ethiopian Civil War began on September 12, 1974 when the Marxist Derg staged a coup d'état against Emperor Haile Selassie, and lasted until the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front , a coalition of rebel groups, overthrew the government in 1991. The war overlapped other Cold War...
.
When Mengistu was overthrown in 1991, Layne became one of the three-man EPRDF-TPLF junta ruling the country and then in the democratically elected government, the other members being Meles Zenawi
Meles Zenawi
Meles Zenawi Asres is the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Since 1985, he has been chairman of the Tigrayan Peoples' Liberation Front , and is currently head of the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front .Meles was born in Adwa, Tigray in Northern Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian father from...
(President) and Siye Abraha (Minister of Defence). His position was Prime Minister of the Transitional Government
Transitional Government of Ethiopia
The Transitional government of Ethiopia was established immediately after the fall of the Dergue regime. It was led by Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. Zenawi remains the prime minister of Ethiopia to this day....
, in which capacity he served from June 6, 1991 until August 22, 1995, when President Meles Zenawi succeeded him as Prime Minister. Layne became deputy prime minister until October 1996, when he was sacked from both positions.
Tamirat Layne served 12 years of an 18-year sentence after a court found him guilty of corruption and embezzlement charges, and was freed on December 19, 2008. The court stated his good behaviour while in prison as a reason for his release. Since his family has relocated to US, he is expected to follow them. Tamirat Layne has, since being imprisoned, converted to evangelical Christianity and has announced that he would not participate in any political organizations but rather serve Jesus Christ and endeavor for the good of his people.