Liberian leader Samuel Doe in Addis Ababa 1980

Ethiopia - Liberian leader Samuel Doe visits Ethiopia which declares support for recent Liberian revolution, 28th August 1980 Sergeant Doe arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, from Tanzania where he had held talks with President Julius Nyerere. The Liberian leader was met on arrival by Colonel Mengistu. The aim of the visit was to improve the Liberian government's image in Africa. Many members of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) were alienated by the bloodshed which accompanied Sergeant Doe's rise to power four months ago -- including the execution of former President Tolbert. The Ethiopians accorded Sergeant Doe full state honours on his arrival with a 21-gun salute, a guard of honour and a march past. Sergeant Doe did not attend the last OAU summit in Sierra Leone in the face of criticism of his regime -- a summit committee will report soon on the question of his attendance at the next meeting. But in talks with Colonel Mengistu, Sergeant Doe was left in no doubt of Ethiopia's support for his regime. At a state banquet the Ethiopian Head of State said both countries were now struggling against oppression and exploitation to achieve freedom, equality and democracy. After a motorcade, Sergeant Doe laid a wreath at the Victory Monument. Colonel Mengistu had earlier drawn parallels between the Liberian revolution and Ethiopia's revolution five years earlier.