YOHANNES, MANGASHA

Ras Mangasha Yohannes (1865-December 29, 1906) was the son of Emperor Yohannes IV, who reigned from 1872-89. A military commander, he played a role in both external and internal events in Ethiopia in the final years of the 19th century.

PHOTO CAPTION: Ras Mangasha Yohannes. SOURCE: EA Library

When his brother, Crown Prince Areaya Selassé, died in June 1888, Mangasha Yohannes was given command of his army with the title of Ras. When his father the emperor invaded the Sudan to attack the Mahdists (followers of the Mahdi, a Muslim religious leader who dominated the Sudan from 1881-85, and whose Dervish movement survived him), Mangasha accompanied him, fighting gallantly at the battle of Matamma in March 1889.

During the last stages of the battle, which went against the Ethiopians, the emperor received a fatal wound. Mangasha succeeded him as commander of the Ethiopian forces, returning to Tegré with his exhausted troops to face rebellions instigated by external forces.

In the political and military struggle for power that followed the emperor’s death, Mangasha was no match for the man who became Emperor Menilek II. He therefore submitted to him, and was appointed governor of Tegré in March 1890. At this time the Italians, finding that they could not make Ethiopia their protectorate, engaged in intrigues in Tegré, and supported ambitious rebels against Mangasha. To obtain some peace, he therefore concluded the Mareb Convention with the Italian governor of Eritrea on December 6-8, 1891. This agreement caused Menilek to suspect Mangasha’s allegiance, until he went to Addis Ababa and explained the situation in June 1894.

He was sent back to Tegré with orders to fight the Italians and to recover the territory which they had occupied. In 1895 he fought unsuccessful battles against the Italians. Subsequently, he joined the united forces of the Ethiopian empire, and played a leading role in the campaign which culminated in the Ethiopian victory over the Italians in March 1896.

In 1898 Mangasha declined an imperial summons, thereby placing himself in rebellion against the emperor. Menilek sent Ras Makonnen against him, and in 1899 he was defeated. He subsequently surrendered in February 1899, and died in captivity in Ankober, 75 mi (120 km) northeast of Addis Ababa, in December 1906.

ZEWDE GABRE-SELLASSIE