ABBOYE, WALDA GIYORGIS
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Walda Giyorgis Abboye (November 4, 1851-March 1, 1918) was an important general, a provinçial governor, and a politician during the reign (1889-1913) of Emperor Menilek II, and the years which followed.
PHOTO CAPTION: Walda Giyorgis Abboye. SOURCE: EA Library
He was the son of Ayahelush, the daughter of King Sahla Selassé, regional ruler of Shawa from 1813-47. He married the sister of Queen (later Empress) Taytu Betul, the wife of Menilek. Having proved himself early as a good soldier, he rose rapidly to a high position in the army of Ras Gobana Dachi, one of Menilek’s generals.
Promoted Dajazmach in April 1880, he successfully conquered Kontu and Kwala in southwestern Ethiopia in 1889, and was appointed Ras in 1893. In 1894, with Menilek and Ras Mikael, he defeated the Walamo Galla. During the Italo-Ethiopian war of 1895-96, he protected the Ethiopian flank by successfully neutralising Italy’s allies, the Afar of Awsa.
His most notable achievement was his 1897 conquest of Kaffa – the only remaining independent state in southwestern Ethiopia, bordering on the Sudan and Kenya. He took part in the negotiations with Britain leading to the Sudan-Ethiopia border treaty of 1902, and the Kenya-Ethiopia frontier agreement of 1907.
Walda Giyorgis left the government of Kaffa in 1910 to go to Addis Ababa to check the anti-Shawan political intrigues during the period of political realignment which followed Menilek’s series of paralytic strokes. Because of his loyalty to Menilek’s political settlement, and his great popularity, he was made governor of the important provinces of Amhara, Bagemder, and Semén.
He was faithful to Menilek’s heir-elect, Lej Iyasu Mikael, nominal ruler of Ethiopia from 1909-16, until 1916, when, with Shawan noblemen, he rose against the apostate young prince. As his role in the coup was vitally important to its success, he was crowned Negus (king) in 1917 by Empress Zawditu [reigned 1916-30]. He died in 1918.
HAROLD G. MARCUS
