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The 1960 coup against Haile Selassie

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Witness History: The 1960 coup against Haile Selassie

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27/07/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The 1960 coup against Haile Selassie

There was an attempt to overthrow the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie in December 1960

In December 1960, there was a failed attempt to overthrow the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and replace him with his son.

In December 1960, there was an attempt to dethrone the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and replace him with his son. 

While the emperor was out of the country, the crown prince was taken to the headquarters of the military unit, the Imperial Bodyguard. 

The conspirators, led by the troops' commander and his brother, also took top government officials hostage. 

In 2015, Alex Last spoke to Dr Asfa-Wossen Asserate, the grandnephew of Haile Selassie, about the failed coup.

(Photo: Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Credit: Terry Fincher via Getty Images)

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