Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
June 4,1991

An Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), fighter patrols an exploding ammunition depot set alight by former government supporters.

In late May 1991 the long civil war in Ethiopia came to a climax when the alliance of four rebel groups, the EPRDF, toppled the authoritarian government of Mengistu Haile-Mariam and took control of Addis Ababa and the nation. The governing regime declared a cease-fire and fled.

In July 1991 the 24 different groups met in the capital and established a multi-party provisional government headed by Meles Zenawi, the Tigray Rebel Leader, to lead the country to its first free elections within two years.