Mulugeta Yeggazu
Encyclopedia
Ras Mulugeta Yeggazu, was an Ethiopia
n government official. He served as Imperial Fitawrari, Commander of the Mahel Sefari (Central Army) of the Ethiopian Army during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
.
. He served as Minister of Finance
during the last years of Emperor Menelik II's reign and then again under Empress Zewditu. From 1916 to 1917, he was Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs
. While governor of Illubabor
, Mulugeta escorted then Ras Tafari (the later Emperor Haile Selassie) on his tour of Europe
in 1924. In 1926, he was appointed as Minister of War, and a few years later commanded the loyalist troops to victory at the Battle of Anchem
.
During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
, Mulugeta was appointed Imperial Commander of the Vanguard (Fitawrari
) to replace the disgraced Birru Wolde Gabriel. Along with his son, Tadessa Mulugeta, he was killed during the retreat of his defeated army from Amba Aradam
.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n government official. He served as Imperial Fitawrari, Commander of the Mahel Sefari (Central Army) of the Ethiopian Army during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
.
Biography
Mulugeta fought as a young warrior in the Battle of Adwa during the First Italo-Abyssinian WarFirst Italo-Abyssinian War
The First Italo-Ethiopian War was fought between Italy and Ethiopia from 1895 to 1896. Ethiopia's military victory over Italy secured it the distinction of being the only African nation to successfully resist European colonialism with a decisive show of force.-Background:On March 25, 1889, the...
. He served as Minister of Finance
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is the Ethiopian government ministry which is responsible for general financial policy and for general management of the economy of Ethiopia, in addition to the allocation of economic aid...
during the last years of Emperor Menelik II's reign and then again under Empress Zewditu. From 1916 to 1917, he was Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ethiopia)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Ethiopian government ministry which oversees the foreign relations of Ethiopia....
. While governor of Illubabor
Illubabor Province
Illubabor was a province in the south-western part of Ethiopia, along the border with Sudan. The name Illubabor is said to come from two Oromo words, "Illu" and "Abba Bor". "Illu" is a name of a clan, and "Abba Bor" was the horse name of Chali Shone, who founded the ruling family of the area when...
, Mulugeta escorted then Ras Tafari (the later Emperor Haile Selassie) on his tour of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 1924. In 1926, he was appointed as Minister of War, and a few years later commanded the loyalist troops to victory at the Battle of Anchem
Battle of Anchem
The Battle of Anchem was a battle fought between two factions of the Royal family in the Ethiopian Empire...
.
During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
, Mulugeta was appointed Imperial Commander of the Vanguard (Fitawrari
Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles
Until the end of the monarchy in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in Ethiopia: the Mesafint or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility...
) to replace the disgraced Birru Wolde Gabriel. Along with his son, Tadessa Mulugeta, he was killed during the retreat of his defeated army from Amba Aradam
Battle of Amba Aradam
The Battle of Amba Aradam was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Mulugeta Yeggazu...
.
See also
- First Italo-Ethiopian War
- Battle of Adwa
- Gugsa Welle's RebellionGugsa Welle's Rebellion (1930)Gugsa Welle's Rebellion of 1930 was a rebellion raised by Ras Gugsa Welle and by supporters of Empress Zewditu to rid her of the Crown Prince and heir apparent, Negus Tafari Makonnen. With Tafari gone, Zewditu would be the sole claiment to succession as the ruler of the Ethiopian Empire...
- Battle of AnchemBattle of AnchemThe Battle of Anchem was a battle fought between two factions of the Royal family in the Ethiopian Empire...
- Battle of Anchem
- Second Italo-Ethiopian War
- Ethiopian Christmas OffensiveEthiopian Christmas OffensiveThe Ethiopian Christmas Offensive took place during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. The Ethiopian offensive was more of a counteroffensive to an ever slowing Italian offensive which started the war.-Background:...
- Battle of Amba AradamBattle of Amba AradamThe Battle of Amba Aradam was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Mulugeta Yeggazu...
- Ethiopian Christmas Offensive