Things declined for Selassie around 1960, with an attempt to overthrow him and replace him with his eldest son, (per New World Encyclopedia). Selassie regained control and maintained the respect of those outside his nation. Unfortunately at home, drought, famine, and a mutinous military resulted in his downfall on September 12, 1974. Emperor Haile Selassie was then overthrown and placed under house arrest.
After he was deposed, Haile Selassie died on August 28, 1975, at the age of 83 (per Face2Face Africa). The Ethiopian government claimed the former emperor died of “acute respiratory failure following surgery.” Selassie’s own doctor refuted this claim and his son demanded an autopsy. The government refused and stated that he had been buried within 24 hours of his death, adhering to Ethiopian custom.
Many postulated that Selassie had been assassinated by The Derg, who overthrew him. It was not until 1992 that The Derg was overthrown and the truth was revealed. Technically, Selassie had been buried. However, his remains were discovered under a concrete slab on palace property. Some reports stated his bones were found under a latrine. After this discovery, he was given a proper burial on November 5, 2000.
As of 2018, there has been some unverified evidence that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Asfaw, a key member of The Derg, murdered Selassie at the command of his fellow government officials. We may never know the full truth of what happened in regard to Emperor Selassie’s death, but it is evident it was a tragic end to a legendary dynasty.
