Episode 1 of 4

Succession Refusal

When: 1889
Where: Tigray
Part of: Event of 1889: Battle of Metemma: Yohannes IV, Emperor of Ethiopia, is killed; Sudanese forces,

Mengesha refused to declare himself Emperor following Yohannes's death, citing lack of support from Tigray.

Ras Alula urged Mengesha to declare himself Emperor, but Mengesha refused. He realized that without unequivocal support from all of Tigray, his bid for the throne would not be taken seriously.

Sources

Battle of Gallabat Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-21

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