Fadlan, Xaggee ayaan u marnaa Badda?

Fadlan, Xaggee ayaan u marnaa Badda?

Waxaa qoray: Qoraa NuuraddiinFaarax

Waxaa Tarjumay:CabdifataaxAshraf

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Fiiro gaar ah: Maqaalkaan waxaa sanadkii 1978 faafiyay Joornaalka HornofAfrica, Volume1,Number4,Pgs31-36; WaxaadibufaafiyayWardheerNews March4,2015. Ugu danbayn, Raadreeb ayaa af Soomaali u tarjuntay islamarkaana isaga oo tarjuman faafisay, septemper 2026.

Qaybta 1aad

Ha ifiyo holocu xusuusteenna, haddii aan sidaa samayno wax ayaan baranaynaa. Tusaale; waxa aan ogaanaynaa in ay jireen dagaallo loo galay gacan ku haynta Geeska Afrika iyo xeebtiisa dheer. Waxa aan barannaynaa in qarniyo ay awoodo shisheeye si is dabajoog ah u imaanayeen, u qabsanayeen una gumaysanayeen shucuubta gobolkani ku nool. Qarniyo, Geeska waxa uu masrax u ahaa hardanka xoogweynta, dhoolatusyada diblomaasiyadeed, qabsashada iyo dib-u – qabsashada. Boqortooyadii Cusmaaniyiinta, Khidaywiyiinta masar oo ay walkiilladoodu si buuxda gacanta ugu hayeeen [xeebaha dherersan Soomaaliya ilaa Iritariya], Talyaaniga, Faransiiska, Ingiriiska iyo Bortaqiiska (inkasta oo uu waqtigiisu koobnaa). Adigu haddii aad hal gumayste magacowdo uma baahnid in aad kuwo kale oo dhan soo taxdo, balse waxaa is waydiin mudan maxaa keenay dhammaan luqunjibbaarradan diblomaasiyadeed? Maxaa keenay dagaalladan Geeska? Sabab?

Uurada ka dhalatay dabka holcaya waxaa ku dhex qarsoon oo kaaga soo bidhaamaya hummaagyada sharta huwan ee Yuuhaanis, Menelik iyo Xayle Salaase iyaga oo cod dabacsan ku hadlaya, laballabaynaya, socodkana gaabinaya. Waa kuwan, waxa aad kula kulmaysaa dhabbayaasha diblomaasiyadda, iyaga oo warqado shaabbadaysan u diraya boqorrada iyo imberaadoorrada Yurub; haddana waxa aad arkaysaa iyaga oo hub urursi ku jira.

Bal aan in yar taas ka soo yaro bayrno, aan su’aal is waydiino, dagaalkan maanta Geeska ka aloosani maxuu kaga duwan yahay dagaalladii hore? Waa run MIIG baa cirka yaacaya, kaarayaal baa la isla dhacayaa, eedaymo culculus baa hawada la isu marinayaa. Waa dhab, waa dagaal ay mid ka mid ah awoodaha dunidu si buuxda u baritaarayso 30 milyan oo Itoobiyaan ah, kuwaa oo la diriraya 3 milyan oo Soomaali ah. Laakiin ka fikir Shawa, boqortooyo yar oo badda ka fog iyo Tigree oo la mid ah. Ka fikir Soomaaliya oo xeebaheeda bacaadka ahi fooxu barakaysani ka soo kamkamayo, sidoo kale Eritariya ka feker. Malee….Waxa aan soo jeedinayaa in aan soo rogno dhawr bog oo sooyaalka kaydsani ka mid ah, run ahaan waxa aan soo jeedinayaa in aan boqorrada iyo imberadoorrada Itoobiya u oggolaanno in ay ka soo baxaan meelaha ay ku dhuumanayaan, naftoodana u hadlaan. Waxa aan soo jeedinayaa in aan daawanno Itoobiya oo sinjigeeda ma guuraanka ah doori is leh, balse waxa aan maqalnaa boqorradeeda oo hadalkoodu isburinayo. Tusaale: Ma jirtaa sabab ay Soomaaliya kaga baqdo in Itoobiya oo quwad shisheeye garabsanaysa, tii ay doontaba ha ahaatee, ku soo duusho Soomaaliya si ay u qabsato dekedaha Saylac iyo Barbara? Arrintani raad sii horeeyay taariikhda maku leedahay, ma jireen dhacdooyin muujinaya in Itoobiya ay doonayso in ay isku fidiso, la wareegto, xoogna ku qabsato dekedaha Barbara iyo Saylac?

Haddii aadan waxba ka qabin waxa aan meesha ka saarayaa Soofiyeedka iyo Kuubaanka, maadaama ay yihiin kuwo ku cusub taariikhda aydiyoolajiyeed ee Geeska, ama dheh in ay yihiin tiknoolajiyada qarniga labaatanaad. Balse Itoobiya wali ma isku dayday xilli dhow ama xilli horaba iyada oo awood shisheeye adeegsanaysa in ay qabsato deked ku taal geeska Afrika? Wali Itoobiya ma is tusisay ama ma danaysay in awoodo shisheeye u kaashato gacan-ku-dhigidda dekedo ay dalal kale leeyiihn, si toos ah ama si dadban? Waligeed Itoobiya ma qorshaysay dhaqdhaqaayo diblomaasiyadeed si ay u hesho marin badda ah? Si loo helo warcelin ku aaddan waydiimahan, waxa aan Itoobiya u oggolaanayaa in ay iyadu isu hadasho, iyada oo ay matalayaan madax dhaqameedkeeda, boqorradeeda iyo imberaadoorradeeda.

Qaybta2aad

Shawa waxa ay ahayd boqortooyo aan bad lahayn, bedka ay ku fadhisana uu yaraa sida boqorkeeduba muuq ahaan u yaraa, si kasta ha u jabyaraado, balse waxa uu ahaa boqor damaciisu aad u ballaaran yahay, damaciisu mid wayn buu ahaa oo aam tirsamin sidii biyaha badda. Shawa waxa ay ahayd boqortooyo yar oo geeri ggo’an ah, buurahu qarniyo isu soo riixayaan, kuna hareeraysan yihiin boqortooyooyin ku cadow ah sida; Gondor, Goojam iyo kan tan ugu mudan oo Tigree ah.

Waxaa jiray dagaallo joogta ah oo lagu hoobto kuwaa oo lulay aasaaska maamulladan dhul-goosatada ah ee tabarta darran. Taariikhdaase bartay dhawr waxyaabood. Tusaale: qofkii hub haysta, Yuribiyaankuna kaalmaynayaan ayaa gacanta sare leh kolkii la isku dhaco. Yuuhaanis, boqrkii Tigreega ayaa arrintan xaqiijiyay. Boqortooyadiisa waxa ay muddo dheer ahayd tan u xooggan sababta oo ah waxa il-nugayl iyo haddiyado hub ah ka heshay Ingiriiska kadib markii ay dano uu lahaa u fuliyeen. Hawlaha uu Ingiriiska u qabtay darteed waxaa loo ballan qaaday in la siin doono deked uu si xor ah u isticmaalo. Haa, sanadahaan oo dhan kadib waxaa loo ballanqaaday deked, mid wax laga soo degsado, lagana dhoofsado; mid muhiim ah iyo bad. 

Laakiin badda marwalba waxaa lahaa dad kale, ha noqdaan shisheeye xoog ku qabsaday, ama dadka deegaan ah sida: Eritariyaanka, Soomaalida iyo Cafarta. Sidaas darteed waxa aan aragnaa imberaadoorrada, boqorrada iyo kaaliyayaashooda oo hadba tabahooda beddalaya, Istiraatiijiyad cusub la imaanaya, marba af ku hadlaya, codsi soo jeedinaya; waxa aan aragnaa iyaga oo hadba luuq ka soo laabanaya, marba meel qoorta ka soo dhiibanaya. Waxa aan maqalnaa iyaga oo ku baaqaya in Kirshtaanka Yurub u midoobaan Turkiga iyo Masaarida Muslimiinta ah ee haysta xeebaha badda cas. Haddana waxa aan maqalnaa iyaga oo samaynaya sheeggaashooyin dhuleed aan sal iyo raad toonna lahayn, kadib markii arimmo siyaasadeed awgood awoodaha Yurub u diideen in ay si xor u adeegsadaan badda. Menelik, boqorka Shawa, mardambana ahaa imberaadoorga dhulka ay xoogga ku qabsadeen, tusaale; waxa aan arkaynaa isaga oo ku dhawaaqaya xuduudihiisa riyada ah, isaga oo qandho iyo xanaaq sariir la dul bilqan.

Menelik ama Yuuhaanis, kuu doonnaba ha ahaada e, waxa aan diiwaanka taariilheed ay kaydsani ka soo guurinnay in labo shay ay bud-dhig u ahaayeen boqortooyada uguna muhiimsanaayeen, labadaa oo kala ah bad iyo hub. Kan dmabe qofkii haystaa waxa ay rumaysnaayeen in uu fursad u haysto helidda irid badeed isaga oo xoog ku qabsanya. Kii bad haysatana [ama si fudud meel uu ka galo heli kara isaga oo ku tashanaya awood Yurubiyaan ah oo u oggolaanaysa adeegsigga badda] waxa uu fursad wayn u haystay helidda hub u suuragaliya dhulbalaarsiga.

Yuuhaanis iyo Menelik, waa labada boqor ee kaliya ee aan hadda ka hadlayno e, kolba kaar ayay xoqanayeen, balse kaarka ugu muhiimsan ee kala sare mariya waxa uu ahaa naxaiirsta awoodaha Yurubiyaanka ah oo hiil iyo hoo boqorka la garab istaaga. Awoodaha Yurub oo marba mid qaata, awoodaha Yurub oo kolba mid hubeeya, awoodaha Yurub oo haddii ay deked siinayaan Yuuhaanis ama Menelik, ama ay u diidayaan aan marna kala tashan dadka ay dhulkooda xoogga ku haystaan ee Soomaalida, Eritariyaanka iyo Canfarta ah. Awoodaha Yurub oo dadkaa hubka ka dhigay, la tashan, kana difaacin duulaannada Abasiinaya ku soo qaaddo.

Ha ahaado amiirka Tigree ama boqorkooda; ha ahaado boqorka shawa ama imberadoorka is caleemasaaray; ha ahaado Xayle Salaasaha casrigan: waxa ay lagamammaarmaan u arkayeen helidda marin badeed, sida oraahda “Nabagal Maariyaay” loogu soo celceliyo ayay “bad bad” ugu soo celcelinayeen. Waxa aan aragnaa in boqor walba uu kaar kasta u xoqanayay si uu u gaaro riyadiisa ah bacaadka badda cas, si ay dadkiisa u helaan biyaha dhanaan ee badweynta Hindiya. Boqorradan waxa ay si buuxda oo la arki u xirnaayeen Saliibka si aysan Yurubiyaanku araggooda uga jeedin; waxa ay foolka buurahooda ku xardheen saliibka sidii uu yahay Noobiyad (lighthouse).

Waa jawaabayaa, saa waan soo xiganayaa:

“Dalkayga aad buu uga fog yahay dalkaaga. Jidka aan badda u mari lahaa, Saylac, Tajuura iyo Cadanba xiligan waxa ay u xiran tahay Muslimiinta. Waxa ay iga hor istaageen in ay i soo gaaraan sahayda, hubka, qalabka beeraha, agabka iyo xitaa ergada Baybalka sida. Ee si naxaiirs leh codkaaga awoodda leh sare ma uu qaadi kartaa si waddadan la iigu furo, sababta oo ah waxa aan doonaya in dalkaygu uu la falgalo ilbaxnimada, caqliga iyo fanka reer Yurub.[2]

Xilliga warqaddan la qorayo ma ahan 1978-da. Maya. Waa 1878dii, haa waa boqol sano ka hor. Qaybtan aan soo xiganayna waxa ay ka mid ahayd dhambaal uu Menelik u diray dawladaha Talyaaniga, Faransiiska, Jarmalka iyo Ingiriiska. Muslimiinta waddada ka xiray ee uu sheegayana ma ahan Soomaalida Saylac iyo Tajuura deggan, ee waa Khidaywiyiinta Masar kuwaa oo xukumayay Dhammaan xeebaha Soomaaliya. Menelik, sida ninka ay loolamaan isku waqtigana yihiin ee Yuuhaanis, boqorka Tigreega, waxa uu wataa saliiba Kirshtaanka, waxa uuna isku dayaa in uu u adeegsado qaab diblomaasiyadeed si uu si toos ah badda ugu gaaro. Intii waqtigan lagu jiray sida aan ogaannay, ma uusan samayn sheegasho dhuleed ku aaddan magaalo ama bad. Meesha kama saari karo suurtagalnimada ah in Menelik uusan waligii maqal Muqdisho, Marko ama Baraawe, kuwaa oo ahaa saddex maamul-magaaleedyo dhaca badda Soomaaliya. Intan waa qayb yar oo ka mid maamul-magaaleedyo dhaca badda Soomaaliya oo caan ka ahaa dunida kuna soocnaa quruxdooda ilqabadka leh iyo in ay yihiin Xarumo ganacsi oo waaweyn.[4]

Balse waxa uu maqlay Saylac iyo Tajuura oo hadda kala tirsan Soomaaliya iyo Jabuuti, sababta oo ah waxa ay ahaayeen dekedaha ay boqortooyadiisa wax kala soo degi jirtay saanada, hubka, qalabka beeraha, agabka iyo dhambaallada Baybalka. Isla iyaga ayay ahaayeen kuwii uu dalkiisa waxa ka dhoofsan jiray. [5] Menelik, kolka la joogo siyaasadda caalamiga ah waxa uu ahaa askariga madow ee jeeska, Menelik aan la aqoon, nin jabyar oo damac wayn leh. Haa, waan aragnaa in ninku uu awoodo in warqado codsi ah u diro dawladaha Yurub si ay ugu kaabaan “codkooda awoodda leh” si “Dhabbaha badda loogu furo”. Marna kuma uusan talin in ay gacan adeegsadeen, kaliya codkooda xooggan, sidaasna uu jidka badda ugu furmo, sidii oo uu codkooddu yahay mucjisadii Nabi Muuse! Waxa uu rajaynayaa in uu bad yeesho, diin ahaan markii loo hadlo… Baddu waa wax wayn oo qurux badan, waa nolol sideeda u dhan!

Yayna ku talaxtagin , ma laha waa waqti aan waxaa la is waydiin. Balse maxay u tahay in ay quwadahan Yurub u kaalmeeyaan Menelik? Waa maxay aqoonsiga uu haysto? “Inkasta oo uu dalkayga aad kaaga fog yahay dalkaaga, waxa aan ahay Kirshtaan adiga oo kale ah.” [6] Ma laha codku wali waa mid dabacsan, codsiguna waa mid fudud: barta uu u socdana  waa mid iska cad: Menelik waxa uu jeclaan lahaa in awoodaha Yurub aysan Masaarida Muslimiinta ah hub u adeegsan, in aysan xoog ku qabsan dekedahan oo aysan iyagu qaadan ama aysan isaga siin. Waxa uu jeclaan lahaa in ay muujiyaan midnimadooda Kirshtaannimo iyaga oo sare u qaadaya codkooda. Si kastay ahaataba waxa aan soo jeedinayaa in aan Menelik bartan uga tagno: waxa aan soo jeedinayaa in run ahaanshaha iyo been ahaanshaha jumladdan aan saarno miisaanka sooyaalka. Waxa aan soo jeedinayaa in aan waqtiga dib ugu laabanno, uurkiisana dooxno. Taariikhdu waa deeqsi, si cad waa saaxiib lagu kalsoonaan karo.

Hadda waxa aan joognaa Tigree, boqortooyo wayn oo ka jirtay Abasiiniya ama Itoobiya taas oo qayb ahayd hawlaha siyaasadeed ee bad helidda, boqorkeeda Yuuhaanis oo xafiiltan weyn uu kala dhexeeyay Menelik. Balse ka hor waayaaha Yuuhaanis sanadkii 1827dii oo konton sano ka horaysay warqadda uu Menelik u qoray madaxda dawladaha Yurub. Tan waa xaqiiq, inta lagu guda jiray rubaca hore ee sanadka 1827dii ayuu ruugcaddaaga siyaasadeed ee Tigree, Dejjazmach Sebagadis Weldo, warqad u qorayaa boqor Joorjigii 3aad, waxa uuna warqadda ku xusayaa in “dalkiisa uu u baahan yahay hub, kuna heli karo kaliya kaalmada reer Yurub iyaga oo u soo marsiinaya dekedda Masawa.” [7] Mar kale iyo hub? Aynu halkan kaga tagno. Balse waa in aan ku xusuusiyaa in kolkan Masawa ay ku jirta gacanta Turkida oo aysan Masaari haysan, inkasta oo Turkiduba Muslimiin yihiin.

Laakiin muxuuu Weldu soo jeedinayaa”

“Waxa aan kaa rabnaa in aad Massawa Turkida kala wareegto, adiga hayso ama annaga na sii maadaama aanu u baahannhay, badda casna ay Muslimiintu haystaan.”[8] Dhibaato la mid ah tan haysata Menelik aya isna haysatay, baahi isku mid basle kala qeexid duwan. Weldu waxa uu istaagay boos adag marka loo eego menelik ( Inkasta oo uusan sheegan dhul badeed, Yuuhaanisna ma sheegan doonno kolka aan u nimaadno isaga).

Menelik waxa uu rajnayay ”dhabbo ha la ii furo”, balse Weldu waxa uu dawaldda boqor Joorji u soo jeediyay in ay badda qabsato, dabadeedna “adiga hayso ama annaga na sii.”

Waxa xusid mudan in madaxda Tigreega iyo boqorradooda aysan marna soo hadal qaadin dekedaha Barbara iyo Tajuura, sababtana waxa ay noqon kartaa in aysan waqood adeegsan.

Inkasta oo kol kale, sanado badan dabadood, cod kale oo Tigree ah yeerayo (markan Yuuhaanis oo la kulmaya ergayga Ingiriiska Janaraal Gordon) oo uu leeyahay qaadashada deked waa mid aan macquul ahayn, sidaad darteed boqorka Tigree waxa uu ku qanci lahaa in la siiyo dhul uu badda u maro.[9]

Qaybta 3aad

Hddii aan mar kale Menelik u soo laabanno, inkasta oo uu beeray miraha riyadiisa isaga oo hurdo, waxba ma uusan shafan ammankii uu soo kacay. Xiligan maamul-magaaleedyada ku teedsan xeebaha Soomaaliya waxa ay ku dhaceen gacanta Talyaaniga, waxaana ku jiray magaalooyinkaa dhulka saldanadaha Hobyo, Majeertinaya iyo boqortooyooyin yar yar oo aan muhiimad sidaa u sii buuran lahayn. Dekedaha Tajuura iyo Obok waxaa la wareegay Faransiiska. Barbara iyo Saylac Ingiriiska , Masawac iyo Asabna Talyaaniga. Menelik meel cidlo ah ayuu ku soo dhacay, wali ma uusan helin illin uu badda ka galo, taasina utun aan go’in ayay ku noqotay. Isaga oo hurdo ayuu beeray miraha riyadiisa, waxbana ma uusan shafan ammankii uu soo kacay.[10]

Qaybta 4aad

“Caro ayaan u dhiman rabaa, maxaa yeelay xitaa hal wax oo cusub dalkayga waan ku soo kordhin waayay, xabsi baan ku jiraa, waxaa la igu xukumay xabsi daa’in, waxaa la iga horjoogsaday in aan dalka keensado qoryo, madaafiic iyo shaqaale.”[11] Qoryo iyo madaafiic! Waxa aan aragnaa in ay meeshii ugu dambaysay ay ka joogto, waxa aan aragnaa in caways gama uu cirbad raadi leeyahay! Waxa uu galay dagaallo badan, intooda badanna waa uu ku guulaystay. Harar buu weerary oo uu xoog ku qabsaday. Waxa uu istusay in ay jirto waddo kale, waddo gaynaysa badda, waxa uuna fikirkii ula tagay Faransiiska. Menelik waxa uu si laabxaarni ay ku dheehan tahay ugu sheegay Faransiiska in uu doonayo in Harar oo uu isaga hantiyay ay kaga beddesho deked.[12]

Faransiisku kuma qancin arrintaa, balse waxa uu soo jeediyay in meel dhexe la isugu yimaado, ganacsina uu dhex maro. Sidaas darteed Faransiisku uu diyaar u yahay in uu Menelik ka iibiyo hubka uu u baahan yahay. Shardi ayaase ku xiran; waa in Menelik iyo boqortooyadiisu wax kala soo deggaan kana dlhoofsadaan dekedaha ku yaalo dhulka Soomaalida ee uu Faransiisku haysto, Saylac iyo Barbara oo uu Ingiriisku haystana uusan adeegsan.[13] Ganacsiga hubka ee Faransiisku waxa uu bulaaliyay dhaqaalaha dhulkii ay haystay. Arthur Rimbaud, waxa uu mid ka mid ah waraaqihiisa ku xusay in in ka badan 24,000 oo hub nuucyo kala duwan ah Menelik laga iibiyay. [14] Talyaaniga ayaa Ingiriiska kaga cawday ququlka hubkan tirada badan ee uu Faransiisku ka iibiyay “Qarankan arxanka daran.”[15]

Menelik, hadda uun buu faraskii dhulbalaarsiga caynaansaday, wax joojinaya waa la waayay. Si kastaba ha ahaatee wali ma yeelan awood uu kaga dhawaajiyo mooddada riyada boqorka wayn ee Shawa kaas oo dhul aad u baaxad wayn xoog ku qabsaday, ninka is boqray, boqorka boqorrada isu caleemasaaray, dabadeedna imberaadoor sheegtay. Hubka iyo qoryaha uu Faransiiska ka iibsaday waxa ay siiyeen awood uu kaga sare maro dhammaan maamulladii gobolka ka jiray. Ingiriiska iyo Talyaaniga waxa ay Soomaalida iyo Eritariyaanka maxmiyahooda ku hoos jiray ka mamnuuceen in ay hub yeeshaan, kamana aysan difaacayn maxmiyadahooda weerarrada Menelik.16] Halka Abasiiniya lagu hubaynayay hubka dunida ugu casrisan. [17] Soomaalida meeshii lagu arkaba hub ka dhigas ayaa lagu samaynayay, kuwa aan hiil haysan isna difaaci karin ayaa laga dhigayay; si aysan dagaal uga la hor iman kuwa dhulkooda ku soo duulay. Qorshaha Gordan ee u helidda Abasiiniya irid badeed mar kale ayuu guuldarrastay, Menelikna waxa uu soo waday adeegsiga dekedaha Jabuuti kuwaa oo uu wax ka dhoofsan jiray, hubna kala soo degi jiray. Kaddib dhawr dagaal iyo dhawr ballamood (Dagaallada goobta la isku farasaaro ayaa lagu kala calaf qaadayay), Shawa waa ay waynaatay, menelik waxa uu qabsaday dhulkiisana ku darsaday boqortooyooyin kale. Ninkan yar waxa uu naftiisa siiyay magacyo tirabadan; waxa uu kirishtaameeyay dhulalkii uu qabsaday, waxa uu la wareegay “Itoobiya”, waxa uuna isu caleemasaaray “Imberaadoor”.

Dhanka kale, haddii aan ku soo laabanno Yuuhaanis oo hadda Imberaadoor ah, waxa aan aragnaa si la mid sidii ay ahaayeen boqorrada iyo amiirrada Tigreega; in waxkasta oo dhaca ay ka go’an tahay qabsashada magaalo xeebeed. Waxaa laga hayaa in uu yiri ” ma doonayo in aan Masawac qunsuliyad ka furto, waxa aan doonayaa in aan iyada oo dhan qabsado.”[18]

Si kasta ay ahaataba, mar uu Yohannis warqad u qorayay boqorod Fiktooriya waxa uu u muuqday mid aan horor ahayn. [19] Marka laga soo tago beerlaxwsiga iyo walaalo Kirshtaan ah baanu nahay, waxa uu sheegay in uusan waxba ka qabin in Ingiriiska ay wadaagan dagmooyinka cawaantu deggan tahay ee xeebaha dhaca, cid kalase uusan u oggolayn.[20] Yuuhaanis, nasiibdarraa ku dhacday oo waxa uu noqday mid la karaahsado, maxaa yeelay awoodaha Yurub waxa ay arkeen sida aan kala go’a lahayn ee uu irid badeed u waydiinayo- haa bad, tay doontaba ha noqotee. Xisaabo badan oo aan la xallin baa dhex yaalay isaga iyo Menelik. Talyaanigu waxa ay doonayeen in la ciqaabo Yuuhaanis. Mar ayaa waxa uu 5000 oo qori siiyay Menelik, shuruudna waxa uu ugu dhigay in uu ku weeraro Yuuhaanis. waxa ay mar dambe ku heshiiyeen in dhulka la qabsado ay labadooda kala qaybsadaan.

Aynu qaybtan ku soo xirno Menelik oo arrinta aad ugu tiiqtiiqsanaya: “Haddii aan Tajuura badda ka soo gali karin, dhankan kale, dhulka ayaan kaga soo duuli karaa. Sidii ay ahaataba inta aysan arrintu meel xun gaarin waxa aan rajaynayaa in Yurubta ilbaxa ah ay ii cadaallad fali doonaan, ina siin doonaan wax aan ku qanco oo ii cuntama…. warqadda qaybteeda dambe waxa uu ku leeyahay “waxa aan rajaynaynaa in taajkeenna sharfaya Ciise Masiix aysan dhulka ku xoori doonin carruurta maxamed.” Intaas waxa uu ku sii daray “Haddii aad dhab ahaan tihiin ilaaliyayaasha Kirshtaanka, maanta waa maalintii aad taas noo caddayn lahaydeen.”[21]

Qaybta 5aad

U imow qaybsigii Afrika, Soomaalida la kala goosgoostay, Itoobiyana qaybteeda la siiyay. Balse wali lama hayo irid badeed. Waxa aan la kulmaynaa Yurubiyaanka oo gaajo u daadanaya sidii Anyaxa, Itoobiyaankaase ka sii darnaa. Laakiin wali marin badeed looma hayo boqortooyada Menelik. Waa hadda kolka ay bilaabanayso sheegashada badda iyo biyaha Afrika. Harada Khartuun, Harada Niyansa (Nyanza/Victoria), Badweynta Hindiya, Badda Cas, biyaha waa xadka u dambeeya.

Qaybta 6aad

Mar kale iyo Menelik, balse hadda waa 1891dii. Tanina waa warqad kale oo caan ah taas oo uu u diray dawladaha Ingiriiska, Talyaaniga, Faransiiska, Jarmalka iyo Qaysarkii Ruushka.

Waxa aan arkaynaa in isbeddel ku yimid luuqadda uu ku hadlayo, waxa aan arkaynaa in ninku isbeddelay, qaabka uu codsiga u samaynayo ayaa isbeddel laga dheehan karaa. Waa warqad dheer taas oo uu ku xusayo xuduudaha ballaaran ee Itoobiyadiisa “riyada ah”. Waxba yaan ka sii faaloon, aan toos hadalkiisa u dhuganno: “Itoobiya waxa ay muddo afar qarni ku siman ahayd jasiirad ku dhex taal badwayn ay cawaani ku nooshahay.”[22] Waa hadal adag balse uu ugu duurxulayo dagaalkii loo galay gacan ku hayta magaalada Harar ee uu Hormuudka u ahaa Axmed Gurey, halyaygii Soomaaliyeed.[23]

Aynu Menelik la sii joogno. Mid digtoon noqo isna adkee; hala yaabin waxa uu Menelik qorayo, “kolkii hore xuduudda Itoobiya waxa ay ahayd badda…. soohimmaheenna saarnaa xeeligga badda waxaa xoog ku haysta Muslimiinta.” [24] Mid aan hoosta ka xarriiqno: halkan badda lama Magacdhabin, xeebtana sidoo kale. Xuduudda Itoobiya baddee ayay ahayd? Goorme? Baddee? Goormee ayay soohdimmaha Itoobiya (waaba haaddii aan oggolaanno hadalka Menelik) gaar ahaan kuwa badeed ku dhaceen gacanta Muslimiinta? Laakiin waa kuwee Cawaanta ku hareerrraysan? Ma Soomaalida? Ma Oromada? Ma Eritariyaanka?

Ma waxa uu u haystay in waajibkiisa ka Kirshtaan ahaan ay ka mid tahay in uu Noobiyadda Masiixa gaarsiiyo gaalada xeebaha ku dhaqan? Waxa aan ka baqayaa in aynu jawaab ka wayno. Laakiin tan ayaan haysannaa; waxa aan haysannaa hadalladiisa ku aaddan damaciisa; waxa aan haynaa erayadii Menelik: “Xilligan la joogo talagalkeennu kama mid ha in aan xoog ku soo ceshanno soohimmaheenna badeed.” Waxa aan kor ku soo aragnay in uu yiri: “Tajuura badda ayaan soo weerarayaa.. ama dhankan kale” laakiin ma samaynayo taas maxaa yeelay waxa uu kalsooni ku qabaa Yurubta ilbaxa ah in ay siinayaan Kirshtaan ahaan waxa uu xaqa u leeyahay sidii Qaysar oo kale! Balse hadda: “waxa aan kalsoonnahay in awoodaha Kirshtaanka ee uu Badbaadiyaheennu hanuuniyay noo soo celin doonaan xeebaha baddeenna… xaddi kasta oo ay ahaato, ama qaybo gaar ah oo iyada ka mid ah.” Laakiin awoodahan hadda Masiixa ma uusan hanuunin ee ee waxaa haga danahooda gumaysi.

Adeegsiga dekadda Jabuuti ma waxa ay noqotay waxa u weyn ee ay bixin karaan walaalaha Kirshtaanku? Inkasta oo isaga oo saaran sariirtuu ku dhiman lahaa fariin uu diray ku yiri: “Haddii Eebbe awood ii siiyo waxa aan dib u aasaasi doonaa soohdimihii asalka ahaa ee Itoobiya Ee dherersanaa ilaa Khartuun, dhinaca kale ilaa Harada Fiktooriya iyo dhamaan dhulka Oromada.[26]

Waxaa kale oo jiray sheegashooyin qosol leh oo aan maangal ahayn oo uu sameeyay. Meelaha kale ee uu xaanshidan ku dhex xusay markii uu ka warramayay xuduudaha Itoobiya waxaa ka mid ah: wabiga Arafle, harada Sambura, wabiyada Mareb, Arated, Ataber iyo Setet, Khartuun iyo harada Fiktooriya. Laga yaabee in ay saamayn ku yeelatay qandhada Itoobiya ee dhulbalaarsiga. Eebbese ma uusan siin awood uu ku weeraro kuna qabsado Khartuun, caasimadda Jamhuuriyadda Suudaan. Sidoo kale uma suuragalin qabsashada harada Fiktooriya. Balse waxa uu ku duulay oo la wareegay qaybo badan oo Geeska ka mid ah oo uu ku jiro gobolka Soomaalida ee Harar. Hawshuna sideedi ayay sii ahayd oo dhimashada Menelik waxba kama doorin ilaa uu saaxadda siyaasadda ku soo biiray Imberaadoor Xayle Salaase.

Qaybta 7aad

Xayle Salaase waxa uu u muuqday mid awood u leh in uu diblomaasiaydda ku guulaysto, Waxa uu ahaa nin fahansan shaxda diblomaasiyadda dunida, dantiisana ku oofsada. Marka aynu 1948-dii la kulanno Xayle Salaase waxa aynu maqlaynaa, isaga oo Qaramada Midoobay ka soo

horjeedinaya warqad uu ku leeyahay: Ka hor hardanka reer yurub ee qaybsashada qaarada Afrika, Itoobiya waxa ay lahayd xeeb dheer taas oo ku teedsan badda cas iyo badweynta Hindiya. Kaliya 15kii sano ee qarniga 19aad u dmabeyay ayaa na loo diiday gelidda badda, waana kolkii aan waynnay Dhulka Soomaalida iyo Eritariya. Tallaabadii koowaad ee arrintan waxa ay ahayd qabsashadiii Talyaaniga ee masawac sanadkii 1885tii. Taas waxaa noo raacday qabsashadii Banaadir oo iyaduna la mid ahayd, iyo la wareegidda qaybo ka mid Somaalilaan iyo Eritariya, sidoo kale waxaa jira is afgaradyo dhawr ah oo Itoobiya quseeya kuwaan oo aan la gala tashan. Arrimahaas dartood ayaana loo sameeyay heshiisyadii 1880kii, 1890kii, 1891dii iyo 1894tii.[27]

Suudaan iyo dalalka ku xeeran harada Fiktooriya waa qasab in ay ku nafiseen hadalkan maadaama uu Xayle Salaase meesha ka saaray sheegashadii Itoobiya ee Khartuum, harada Nyanza iyo Sambura, laakiin Soomaalida, Maya. Waxa uu fartiisa si afar gees ah u dulsaaray Banaadir, kadib xeebaha badda cas ee Soomaalilaan ee Ingiriisku haysto, dabadeedna xeebaha Soomaalida ee badweynta Hindiya, ugu dambaynna Eritariya. Ma waxa ay ahayd qarniyadiii 14aad iyo 15aad markii Itoobiya laga horjoogsaday badda cas iyo badweynta Hindiya (sida uu qabo Meneligii dambe, waa kii 1891dii)? Mise 15kii sano ee qanriga 19aad u dambeeyay ayaa Itoobiya loo diiday gelidda badda (sida uu qabo Xayle Salaase)? Maadaama uu hor taagnaa Golaha Qaramada midoobay oo aan mid diini ah ahayn, waxa uu Imberaadoor Xayle si ku talagal ah meesha uga saaray summadii kirishtaanimo ee uu Menilig aad u adeegsan jiray.

Waxaa maskaxdayda sidii mudac ugu taagan waydiin ku aaddan ku waalnaanta hoggaamiyayaasha Itoobiya ( Shawa, Tigree ama si guud Abasiiniya haka soo jeedaane) ee biyaha, ma arrin aasaasi ah baa, taas oo helitaankoodu jaangooyo habdhaqankooda iyo dabeecadooda? Hal mar aan isla eegno hadalladan hoos ku xusan:

1. Minilig: B) jidkayga baddu waa Seylac, Tajuura iyo Cadan. T) Haddii aanan Tajuura dhanka badda ka qabsan karin, igu ma adka in aan qabsado dekeddeeda. J) Waagii hore xuduudda Itoobiya badda ayay ahayd. X) soohdimaheenna badda saaran. KH) Noo soo celiya xeebaheenna badda. D) waxa aan dib dhidabbada ugu taagi doonaa soohdimaheenna qadiimiga ah ee Itoobiya, ee teedsanaa Kahrtuum(Niil) ilaa harada Fiktooriya. Aan yara dul istaagno magacyada goobaha maqaalkan aan soo xigannay lagu dhex xusay: caadiyan waa magaaalo xeebeed, webi magacii, haro magaceed ama deegaan leh istiraatiijiyad muhiim ah.
2. Yuuhaanis/Weldu: B) Masawac ayaan doonayaa. T) cawaantan xeebaha deggan. J) Waxaan kaa doonaynaa in aad Masawac qabsato. X) Taageerada Yurubiyaanku waa inay Masawac noo soo martaa. Kh) Adeegsiga badda kaliya ma doonayno ee lahaanshaheeda dhuleed ayaan rabnaa. D) Muslimiinta badda cas saaran…..
3. Haddana waxa aan aragnaa Xayle Salaase: B) xuduudaha Itoobiya waxaa ka mid ahaa dhul xeebaad ku teedsan badda cas iyo badweynta Hindiya. T) Waxaa na loo diidday gelidda badda kadib markii aan waynnay Soomaalilaan iyo Eritariya. J) Banaadir (xeebta Soomaaliya). X) Masawac.

Ardayda bartay kasmanafeedda Freud, waxa uu si fudud u caddayn karaa in doonista biyaha ee boqorada iyo Imberaadoorrada Itoobiya ay tahay arrin si baraadli’i ah maankooda ugu sawiran.

Qaybta 8aad

Ha ahaato xeebta Eritariya ama tan Banaadir, Itoobiya waligeed waxa ay ku mamanayd xeebkasta, biyomareen kasta, ha ahaato xeebta Soomaaliya, tan Eritariya, harada Fiktooriya ama Niilka. Sanadba kan ka dambeeya, raggu ha isbeddelaan ama dawladuhu, sheegashooyinku ha is dooriyaan; Itoobiya waxa ay u baahan tahay xeeb, biyo ay isku fiidiso. Si kastaba sheegashooyinku ha iska hor yimaadaan, si kasta taariikhyo aan xaqiiq ahayn ha u soo bandhigaan, waxba kama soo bixin.

Ballanba ballan kale ayay u dhiibtay, wali wax ka soo naaso cad ma lahan, wadahadalba, wadahadal kale ayaa xigay balse wali dekad ma helin. Dhab ahaan imanka Itoobiya waxa ay noqotay la gumayste Talyaaniga hoos timaada. Waxaa la jooga dagaalkii labaad ee dunida, Talyaanigu waxa uu ku jira isbahaysiga jabaya, Xayle Salaasana waxa uu kaalmo waydiistay Ingiriiska, kaas oo ciidankiisa cirku daadinayaan waraaqo ay ku dacaayadaynaayaan gumaysiga Talyaaniga. Aynu isl akhrinno: 

“Dadka reer Eritariya iyo dadka reer Banaadirow! Waxaa la idanka soocay hooyadiin Itoobiya, waxaana qoorta la idiin suray harqoodka cadowga, walina harqoodkaas ayaad ku hoos jirtaan. Waxa aan u imid in aan dib u soo celiya madaxbanaannida dalkayga, oo ay Eritariya iyo Banaadir ku jiraan, waxa ayna hoos harsan doonaan calanka Itoobiya. Halgan kali kuma nihin, hub la’aanna nama hayso, waxa aan haysannaa garabka Ingiriiska Weyn; sidaas darteed waxa aan idin farayaa in aad ka dhiidhisaan addoonsiga cadowgan arxanka daran…Ciidanka Eritariya ee ku jira safka Talyaaniga; xabad haku ridina Ingiriisku u yimid garab istaageeenna.” [28]

Waa sheegashooyin lagu baanay. Soomaaliya waa qayb ka mid ah Itoobiya! Goormee? Goormee Banaadir qayb ka ahayd Abasiiniya? Ku dhawaaqidda Xayle Salaase ee hammigiisan kor ku xusan iyo in ay ciidanka cirka ee Ingiriisku faafinayaan waraaqahan, waxa aan ka baranaynaa in Ingiriisku si toos ah ugu lug lahaa soo celinta xoriyadda dalkiisa, ciidankiisuna caawinayeen Xayle, waana tan uu leeyahay ” Anaga ma nihin kaligeen mana ihin hub la’aan, waxa aan haysannaa garabka Ingiriiska Weyn”. Si kastaba ha ahaatee kolkii uu dagaalku dhammaaday, Ingiriisku waxa uu la wareegay dhulkii uu Talyaanigu gumaysanayay oo ay ka mid ahaayeen, dhulka Soomaalida ee Talyaaniga haystay, Ogaadeeniya, dhulka Soomaalida ee Ingiriisku haystay (Somaalilaan), Dhulka Soomaalida ee Kenya iyo Eritariya. Xilligaana waxa uu ahaa markii aad loogu olalaynayay in dhammaan Soomaalida lagu mideeyo hal calan. Markii taas lagu guuldaraystayna, Qaramada Midoobay ayaa isku raacay in Dhulkii Soomaalida ee Talyaaniga haystay (Ex-Italian Somaliland) iyo Eritariyaba laga dhigo maxmiyado iyaga hoos yimaada. Ugu yaraan aragtidan ma raaligelin Xayle Salaase. Mana raaligelin doonistii Itoobiya ee badda cas iyo badweynta Hindiya iyo oonkii ay u qabtay xeebaha. Sida Imberaadoor Xayle ku xusay waraysi lala yeeshay “waa in Eritariya laga dhigaa qayb ka mid ah Itoobiya.”[29]

Dib u milicso waxa ay dhahayeen kuwii isaga ka horeeyay. Xusuuso waxa aan kor ku soo werinnay, hadda Eritariya ayay doonayaan, markii horana Banaadir. Balse maxaa dhacaya haddii Itoobiya aan la siin Eritariya? Markaas Eritariya iyo Soomaaliya midkoodna ma noqonayaan dal jira oo gooni u tagaan( waa sida uu Imberaadoorku qaba e). [30] Intaas waxaa dheer haddii aan midkood la siin dalkiisa in Itoobiya ku qasbanaan doonto iyada oo danteeda ilaashanaysa in ay dhisto ciidan xoogaan kuna maalgeliso dhaqaalihii ay gelin lahayd horumarinta nolosha dadka Itoobiya, Eritariya iyo Soomaalilaan. [31] Eritariya; ugu dambayn Imberaadoor Xayle Salaase waxa uu beddelay dalabaadkii dalkiisa. Eritariya waxa ay noqon kartaa maxmiyad Qaramada Midoobay hoos timaado waa haddii wadankiisa Itoobiya uu maamulayo maxmiyaddaas.

Xilligaasna Soomaaliya ayaa la hoos geeyay maxmiyaddii Qaramada Midoobay ee Talyaanigu wakiilka kaga ahaa. Sidoo kale Qarmada Midoobay ayaa samaysay maamul fadaraal oo ku meelgaar ah kaas oo Itoobiya iyo Eritariya u dhexeeyay. Hase ahaatee 1962dii ayay Itoobiya qabsatay Eritariya ugu dambaynna la wareegtay dekadaha Masawac iyo Casab.

Qaramada Midoobay oo aan (Munaafaqad Agaasiman) u aqaan, ayaa ka codaysay falkan. Isla waqtiganna, maamulkii Xayle Salaase waxa uu si weyn u darsay sida ugu wanaagsan oo ay Jabuuti ku qabsan lahaayeen. Tanina waa taariikh hadda uun ah.

Qaybta 9aad

Waraysi mar aan sii fogayn lala yeeshay Mengistu ayuu waxa uu sheegay “in Itoobiya difaacan doonto gelitaankeeda badda cas xitaa haddii baddu la sii casaanayso dhiigga Itoobiyaanka.” Dagaalku wuu soconayaa. Dagaalka loogu jiro helidda xeebta; waa dagaal soo bilowday qarniyo ka hor. Mengistu nabad ma kula xaajoon doonaa Soomaalida iyo Eritariyaanka kuwaas oo dhulkooda xeebaha laga helo? Mise waxa uu noqon doonaa asal ma doorshe raaca tallaabooyinkii Sebagiss (“waxa aan kaa doonaynaa in aad Masawac ka qaado Turkida oo aad annaga nagu wareejiso”), Yuuhaanis (“Qunsuliyad kama doonayo Masawac, aniga Masawac qudheed ayaan rabaa”). Menilig( ” Haddii Eeebbe awood ii siiyo waxa aan dib dhidabbada uga taagi doonaa soohdimihii hore ee Itoobiya, kuwaas oo ku dherersanaa laga soo bilaabo Khartuum ilaa harada Fiktooriya…” ama “Haddii aan Tajuura dhanka badda ka qabsan karin, igu ma adka in dekeddeeda qabsado…:) ama Xayle Salaase ( ” Waxaa na loo diidday gelidda badda kadib markii aan waynnay Soomaalilaan iyo Eritariya”)

Waxaa la yiraahdaa, taariikhda iyadaa isa soo celisa. Anigana waxa aan leeyahay maya; ee innaga ayaa wax cusub la iman oo dhabbihii hore sii hayna. Mengistu maka codsan doonaa Ruushiyaanka iyo Kuubaanka in ay qabsadaan dekadaha Seylac iyo Berbera, iyaguna haystaan ama ay Itoobiya siiyaan? Ruushku wuu jelcaan lahaa in uu mar kale si buuxds ula wareego dekadda Berbera. Iyaydoo halkaa la joogo, dagaalku wali wuu socdaa, dunidu waxa ay u muuqata mid aad isu maandhaafsan.

TIXRAACYO

[1]. Ken Kesey. Sometimes a Great Notion, (London: Penguin, 1977). Nuruddin Farah is a novelist based in Rome, Italy.

[2]. F.0. 407/11 Menelik, December 1878. Cited in Richard Pankhurst. Economic History of Ethiopia, (Addis Ababa: Haile Sellassie University, 1968), pp. 101-2.

1. Foreign Office Handbook (British Somaliland 1920) p. 20.
2. Cfr Robert L. Hess, Italian Colonialism in Somalia, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1966, pp. 6—12

[5]. Cfr Thompson & Adloff, Djibouti & the Horn of Africa, Stanford: Stan· ford University Press (1968) pp. 3-11. 12

[6]. F.O. 407/11 Menelik. See Pankhurst, op.cit. p. 101. Text given here is re-phrased by author in order to avoid verbosity and monotony.

[7]. Sven Rubenson, Survival of Ethiopia’s Independence (Heinemann 1976).

[8]. Ibid Also text given p. 314 reads: “We hope you will take the port Massowen and give it up to us or keep it in Your Majesty’s possession. See below, No. J9.

[9]. Ibid., passim pp. 335-39.

[10]. The European powers’ interests in holding onto the coast-line each had conquered intersected and, at times, encountered like the hus routes of a grand metropolis. A. Menelik or a Yohannis or a Tewodros would be given a bus ride from a given terminus and would be dropped mid-way. The services of ports and sale of fire-arms would be offered. But before they got to getting a strip of territory on and of the coast, the bus would stop and drop.

[11]. Rubenson, ap.cit. pp. 345-46.

[12]. Enid Starkie, Arthur Rimbaud in Abyssinia (1937), p. 48 (cited in Somali Peninsula, Mogadiscio 1962, p. 23).

[13]. Ibid., p. 107, source same as above, Somali Peninsula, p. 26

1. Ibid., p. 91, vide Somali Peninsula.
2. Ibid., pp. 108-9, vide Somali Peninsula p. 26
3. Silberman, L., Cahiers Etude Africaine Vol. II (1961), p. 55, concerning Italy’s forbidding the Somalis to arm themselves against the Abyssinian raids. Also see Red Sea Papers: Indian Office to Foreign Office No. 16, of 1893 regarding Britain’s forbidding the Somalis against the same. The Abyssinians came, robbed and raped and returned. The Somalis remained unarmed until the Somali warrior Sayyid Mohamed comes on the scene a decade Or so later. Is it not a

historical irony that Somalia today is again unarmed while Ethiopia is armed to its wisdom teeth?

1. “Fire-arms were the one European invention most eagerly seized on” by Menlik and other Abyssinian kingdoms, according to Christopher Clapham, Haile Sellassie’s Government, London: Longman, 1969. Aware of the importance of firearms, he imported them in huge numbers both from the French in the Gulf of Tajura and from the Italians who, for a while, regarded him as an ally against Yohannis (See Clapham, op. cit. p. 13). Worth studying also is Richard Pankhurst in particular his chapter on the importation of arms etcetra, ap.cit., note no. 2. 13
2. W. Winstantly, A visit to Abyssinia: An Account of Travel in Modern Abyssinia (London 1888) quoted in Rubenson op.cit., p. 341.
3. [19] F.O. 95/379 No. 297, Yohannis to Victoria, May 2, 1879. During this time when negotiations through Gordon were underway, we learn that Ras Alula, Yohannis’ most outstanding general, appears to have decided “to take Massawa.” He was reported to have said that he wouldn’t return to Tigre until he had “watered his horse in the Red Sea.” (Vide Rubenson op.cit., p, 342.) And on another occasion Yohannis to Gordon: “You want peace,” he declared. “Well, I want retrocession of Metemma, Changallas and Bogos, cession of the ports of Zeyla and Amphilla, and Abuna and a sum of money from one to million pounds.” G. Birkbeck Hill, Colonel Gordon in Central Africa 1874-1879. p. 411-cited in David Mathew, Ethiopia, Greenwood Press, 1947, p. 213. Whereas, in an interview in 1849 with Tewodros, the King of Abyssinia, Consul Plowden “ventured to hint that the seacoast and Massawa might possibly be given up to him” … “that the two countries (i.e. Abyssinia and Britain) should endeavour to keep open and secure avenues of approach between the sea-coast and Abyssinia.” 
4. Charles Beke, The British Captives in Abyssinia (Longman” 1867), p. 276.
5. Rosetti, Stllria Diplomatica deU’Etiopia (Torino, 1910). p. 18.
6. F.O. 1/32 Abyssinia Diplomatic Correspondence. cited in Somali Peninsula op.cit.
7. Cfr Trimingham, Islam in Ethiopia (1952); also l. M. Lewis, Pastrol Democracy (London 1961). These books give details about 16th century Harar, the capital of the Muslim Sultanate of Adal which once had its headquarters in Zeila.
8. F.O. 1/32 op.cit.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. I.W.B. of October 20, 1948, para 15.
12. Sylvia & Richard Pankhurst, Ethiopia & Eritrea, Essex: Lalibela House. 1953, p. 23. Whereas Richard Pankhurst’s writing is scholarly and scientific, Sylvia Pankhurst’s is propagandistic. In her Ex-Italian Somaliland, for an instance, without blinking a

researcher/historian’s eyelash, she argues for the case of expansionist Ethiopia.

1. Ibid., p. 124. Emperor Haile Sellassie’s lobbying to acquire an outlet to the sea, in fact, went Out of proportion on occasion. While the General Assembly of the United Nations were in session, discussing the issue of Eriterea’s and Somalia’s independence, “Roman Catholic 14 churches in the Negro quarter were also picketed with an appeal to their Negro congregations to use their influence to force the Pope to demand seaports for Ethiopia.” Sylvia and Richard Pankhurst op. cit. p. 218.
2. Sylvia and Richard Pankhurst, op. cit., p. 124.
3. Ibid, p. 124.
4. My apologies to Disraeli who originally used the phrase when referring to Conservative government pastiches.
5. Carriera della Sera (Edizione Romana), February 20, 1978.

LETTERsentbyEmperorMenelektotheHeadsofEuropeanStatesin 1891 10th April, 1891

Being desirous to make known to our friends the Powers Sovereigns)of Europe the boundaries of Ethiopia, we have addressed also to you (your Majesty) the present letter.

These are the boundaries of Ethiopia:-

Starting from the Italian boundary of Arafale, which is situated on the sea, the line goes westward over the plain (Meda) of Gegra towards Mahio, Halai, Digsa, and Gura up to Adibaro. From Adibaro to the junction of the Rivers Mareb and Arated.

From this point the line runs southward to the junction of the Atbara and Setit Rivers, where is situated the town known as Tomat. From Tomat the frontier embraces the Province of Gederef up to Karkoj on the Blue Nile. From

Karkoj the line passes to the junction of the Sobat River with the White Nile. From thence the frontier follows the River Sobat including the country of Arbore, Gallas and reaches Samburu. Towards the east are included within the frontier the country of the Borana Gallas and Arussi country up to the limits of the Somalis, including also the Province of Ogaden .

To the northward the line of the frontier includes the Habar Awal, the Gadabursi, and Essa Somalis , and reaches Ambos.

Leaving Ambos the line includes Lake Assal, the province of our ancient vassal Mohamed Anfari, skirts the coast of the sea, and rejoins Arafale.

While tracing today the actual boundaries of my Empire, I shall endeavour, if God gives me life and strength, to re-establish the ancient frontiers (tributaries) of Ethiopia up to Khartoum, and as Lake Nyanza with all the Gallas.

Ethiopia has been for fourteen centuries a Christian island in a sea of pagans. If powers at a distance come forward to partition Africa between them, I do not intend to be an indifferent spectator.

As the Almighty has protected Ethiopia up to this day, I have confidence He will continue to protect her, and increase her borders in the future . I am certain He will not suffer her to be divided among other Powers.

Formerly the boundary of Ethiopia was the sea. Having lacked strength sufficient, and having received no help from Christian Powers, our frontier on the sea coast fell into the power of the Muslim-man.

At present we do not intend to regain our sea frontier by force, but we trust that the Christian Power, guided by our Saviour, will restore to us our sea-coast line, at any rate, certain points on the coast . Written at Addis Ababa, the 14th Mazir, 1883 (10th April, 1891).

(Translated direct from the Amharic.) Addis Ababa, 4th May, 1897.

This letter was addressed to Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia

* Public Records Office (London), Foreign Office 1/32 Rodd to Sallisbury, No. 15, 4 th May. Also see The Somali Peninsula, p. 86.