Wolde Giyorgis Wolde Yohannes

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Wolde Giyorgis Wolde Yohannes (1901 - 1976) was an important government Minister during the reign of Emperor Haile Sellassie of Ethiopia.

Wolde Giyorgis was born in Shewa, and became Emperor Haile Sellassie’s private secretary prior to the Italian occupation, and accompanied his monarch into exile. After Emperor Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia and having gained his trust during their exile, and according to Bahru Zewde a "knack for political intregue",[1] Wolde Giyorgis came to dominate Ethiopian politics for a decade and a half, not only serving as Tsehafi Taezaz or Minister of the Pen (1941 - 1955), but at times Minister of the Interior (1943 - 1949), and Minister of Justice (1949 - 1955).

Wolde Giyorgis was much involved in negotiating the Anglo-Ethiopian agreements of 1942 and 1944. He strongly opposed post-war British pressures on Ethiopia, most notably against British efforts to remain in occupation of the Ogaden and the so-called Reserved Area adjacent to British Somaliland. As a result, Richard Pankhurst notes, "several British officials went so far (incorrectly) as describing him as being 'anti-British'. For his part he used to say that he was not 'Anti-anybody, but pro-Ethiopian'. I emphasise this side of his life because it is highly relevant to our subject for today!"[2]

However, in 1955 Wolde Giyorgis fell from favor, and a group of four ambitious ministers moved into his place: Makonnen Habte-Wold, Ras Abebe Aregai, Ras Andargachew Masai, and General Mulugta Bulli. As Christopher Clapham observed, "Not least of among the emperor's achievements was the way in which he caused the resentment both of the nobility and of frustrated reformers to be directed against Wolde Giyorgis rather than himself, thus remaining detached from policies for which he was essentially responsible."[3]

After his downfall, Wolde Giyorgis served as Governor of Arsi (1955 - 1960), and of Gamu-Gofa (1960 - 1961). He left Ethiopia after the Ethiopian revolution of 1974, becoming an exile in Britain where he died two years later. Wolde Giyorgis was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Bahru Zewde (2001). A History of Modern Ethiopia, second, Oxford: James Currey. ISBN 0-85255-786-8. 
  2. ^ "Aspects of Ethiopian History: Ethiopian Graves in Britain" by Richard Pankhurst (Addis Tribune, accessed 26 October 2007)
  3. ^ Cited in Henze, Paul B. (2000). Layers of Time, A History of Ethiopia. New York: Palgrave. ISBN 0-312-22719-1.