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Mengistu Hailemariam Araya

Place of birth: Maichew, Ethiopia

Religious affiliation: Christian

Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam was born in 1932 (Ethiopian Calendar- E.C) from his parents Hailemariam Araya and Gidey Adhana in Maichew.

He completed his elementary school in Maichew and his secondary education at General Wingate comprehensive secondary school in Addis Ababa in 1950 (E.C).

He joined the Harar Military Academy in September 1950 (E.C) and went through the necessary training and education and graduated in 1954 as an officer.

Following his outstanding performance during his stay in the Military, Colonel Mengistu was granted permission by his supervisors to enroll for higher education. As a result, he joined the Law Faculty of the Addis Ababa University in 1959 (E.C) and obtained his LL.B. degree in 1963 E.C.

He has served as the head of the Legal Department of the then Imperial Body Guard.

Colonel Mengistu was appointed and served as a judge in the Special and Supreme Courts of Ethiopia.

Following his retirement, he was working privately as a legal attorney and a consultant where he handled a number of high profile legal cases.

He died on 1 January 2015 after several months of illness. Colonel Mengistu is survived by his wife Mrs. Tsehainesh Zewdu Yimer (both married for 50 years) and his seven children. His father Memiher Hailemariam Araya died a few months after he (the son) Passed away. He was 104 years old!

Colonel Mengistu, you were a man of honor, integrity, love and wisdom. We THANK YOU for all the beautiful moments you gave us all!