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DISTORTING
ETHIOPIAN HISTORY
By Mathza
History
is supposed to inform current and future generations of events
that took place in the past. It should be a factual recording. It
should be a description of events exactly the way they happened.
Historical statements made in articles and other writings should
avoid omissions, i.e. hiding the bad sides of historical persons
or group. They should not ignore or minimize the achievements of
others. Omission is the subject matter of this writing.
I
have personally observed a number of writings accusing Emperor
Yohannes IV of helping the British expedition against Emperor
Tewodros II. The latest which prompted me to react is one in
Amharic “Le’adis Yetgl Tarik
Enterarra (yidres leteqwamiwoch)” by Bekele Shumie in Ethiopian
Review (6/20/07). I have written two articles related to such
accusations and manipulations of history.* The following extensive
quotation from Pat I of one of the articles shows that, on the
contrary, it is Emperor Menelik II who deserves accusations not on
one but on many counts.
“Emperor
Menelik II, adored as “Immiye Menelik” by the diehards, has
betrayed his country so many times by siding with all of its
enemies and against Emperors Tewodros II and Yohannes IV. The
following quotations from his own letters show how treasonous he
has been.
·
To Napier leading the British
expedition against Emperor Tewodros II: “I was first willing to
send (supplies) to you in a suitable manner, but my enemies are
between us… Now I am far off, but I have no hesitation (to
help).”
·
To King Umberto of Italy after
the Dogali defeat of the Italians by Ras Alula: “I can revenge
the Italians who have died… I have confided to Antonelli many
things that I cannot write which he should tell you.” After he
was crowned Emperor he wrote to King Umberto “I would like the
soldiers of your majesty to forcefully occupy Asmara and make sure
that the route is well guarded and defended.”
·
To Caliph-Khedive of the
Mahdists: “When you were at war with Yohannes, I was also at war
with him. Between us there has been no war.” He avoided fighting
the Mahdists twice: first together with King Tecle Haimanot,
second with Yohannes IV.
·
Cooperation agreement related
to Egyptians invasion: “The scheme was while the Egyptians Were
attacking King Yohannes IV in the north, Muzinger Pasha and
Menelik were to attack from the south.”
·
A similar cooperation
arrangement was made between King Menelik and the Italians, the
former to attack Yohannes IV from the south and the later from the
north.
At
the battle of Adwa he wanted, for the usual selfish motive, his
25,000 Shewan guards to come out intact. He had to be persuaded to
release them participate in the final assault when the Italians
had the upper hand and he was about to order retreat. If it were
not for his wife, Empress Taitu, and Ras Mengesha there would not
have been an Adwa victory. This and the above and other facts are
taboo and do not appear in history books authored by
Ethiopians.”
The
above facts omitted in history books are glaring examples of how
Ethiopian history has been and is being manipulated by chauvinists
who dream the return to the old system of governance. Note that
these same people are among those who practice politics
of hate and follow the saying “the end justifies the
means” in order to usurp power which they so much covet. Their
lust for power has blinded them and they cannot, therefore, see
the irreversible nature of the change that has taken place.
Repeatedly
bashing Emperor Yohannes IV — a cheap attempt at scoring
political gain — is not surely going
to serve their own ends or help their cause. It is crystal
clear from the above quotation that Emperor Menelik II is the root
cause of the present predicament of Ethiopia in as far as all the
troubles perpetrated by the Eritrean leader are concerned. Let us
not forget that, with practically no contribution from his kings,
Emperor Yohannes IV heroically and successfully defended Ethiopia
from Egyptian, Mahdist and Italian aggressions in 1875, 1876,
1877, 1880, 1883, 1885 and 1887. It was Ras Alula who struck the
first blow on Italian colonial aggression at Dogali in 1887 long
before the battle of Adwa in 1896.
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*http://www.hmbasha.net/UrgentNeed4Reconciliation.htm
*http://www.ethioobserver.net/MANIPULATION.htm
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