By Getachew Garedew
April 1992
Is Asfaw Wossen (Atse Amha Selassie) capable of providing any type of leadership in Ethiopia today? To fully address this question, it is necessary to understand Asfaw Wossen’s political history and past activities.
Prior to his death, Atse Menelik designated his son Lidj Iyassu as heir apparent to the throne. This was clearly stated in his will. But Lidj Iyassu would not become king. Dejazmach Teferi Mekonnen (later Haile Selassie) conspired to usurp the throne. Following the Battle of Segele and an epidemic (yehidar beshita) which killed thousands of people, Lidj Iyassu was captured and imprisoned. Woizero Zewditu was crowned Queen and DejazmachTeferi became Crown Prince. Nigest Zewditu did not rule for long. As a result of a successful court intrigue, Zewditu died mysteriously and Teferi Mekonnen (who was by then Ras) was crowned Niguse Negest. Asfaw Wossen was designated Crown Prince.
Until Haile Selassie’s overthrow in 1975, Asfaw Wossen did very little except hang around the palace. He never participated in any meaningful political activity or administration of justice. Even when he was appointed Governor of Wello, he administered by remote control from Addis Abeba. There are few things that he can personally take credit for in Wello. In fact he took little interest in political and social issues in Wello. Historically, of course, Wello has never been a great supporter of Haile Selassie. When Haile Selassie returned from London after the war, the people of Wello were against giving him safe passage. They felt he was a coward for having left the country during the Italian occupation. They also objected to him as an usurper to the throne. They favored and accepted Menelik’s son, Lidj Iyassu, as
the legitimate heir. To this end the people of Wello rose up in arms to prevent him from traveling through Wello.
Haile Selassie also held a grudge against the people of Wello for their role in the Battle of Segele. He felt that they had allied themselves with Negus Mikhael and warred against him. Haile Selassie thus used his army to plunder and destroy Wello. Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen never protested or even pleaded for mercy for the people of Wello. Indeed, he was indifferent and passive, traits that are the hallmark of his political leadership and style. Throughout his political career he has never taken a stand or exerted himself to alleviate indignity or human rights violations committed against the people of Ethiopia. Neither has he ever used his great wealth to help alleviate poverty among his people.
Perhaps the best way to understand Asfaw Wossen’s political record and leadership style is to examine his role during the 1960 coup attempt by Mengistu Neway and his colleagues against Haile Selassie. A plan to remove Haile Selassie was devised by certain civilian and military leaders. These individuals were pained by the sheer poverty and need of the people of Ethiopia. They believed that fundamental changes were necessary. In an extraordinary gesture, they approached Asfaw Wossen with the idea of removing his father and establishing a popular government. He readily
accepted the idea and pledged his full support. He even told them that such a change for the country was his lifelong dream. He shared his regrets that his father had kept him under such tight control for such a long time. He took an oath with these individuals pledging: “If I should desert you, may Ethiopia forever desert me.”
Once the coup planners obtained Asfaw Wossen’s pledge of support, Generals Mengistu Neway and Tsige Dibu, Colonel Workneh Gebeyehu and Ato Germame Neway asked him to take up full leadership. He promptly accepted and preparations were underway to arrest Haile Selassie at the airport as he returned from a visit to Brazil. The plan was to depose him and declare a popular government.
While this plot was being hatched, then Minister of Finance Mekonnen Habte Wold got wind of what was underway. He sent an urgent telegram to Haile Selassie in Brazil. The coded message said: “The patient is dead. Please come back to the funeral.” Haile Selassie understood the message and immediately left for Addis Abeba.
By then the plotters realized that there has been a leak of the planned coup. They decided to accelerate the effectuation of their plan before the scheduled date. Asfaw Wossen then issued a public proclamation which said in part:
In recognition of the fact that the present regime has been a cancer on the Ethiopian people, beginning today I have decided to serve the people of Ethiopia
based on a true constitution and a salary the people determine for me. The new people’s government of Ethiopia is supported by intellectuals, military and civilian leaders and the people at large. Therefore, the decisions that are made by this government shall become valid. People of Ethiopia! You should know that you begin a glorious history today. You can stand proud among the people of the world. You should make your unity stronger than steel.
The recording of this statement is available for verification.
The new people’s government was widely supported not only by the educated elites and military sectors but also by the common people. Asfaw Wossen’s statement was very moving, filled with hope of change and improvements in the meager lives of the Ethiopian people.
The euphoria and ecstasy of the two days of the coup began to wear out as General Mered Mengesha and the Abune of the Orthodox Church, who issued a divine injunction, began to create division in the military. The American Ambassador was also part of this effort. He pretended to play a mediating role while actively working to undercut the coalition among the various branches of the military. As a result, Haile Selassie’s unchallenged return to Addis Abeba became certain.
Asfaw Wossen went to the airport to receive him. The first words exchanged between father and son reflected Haile Selassie’s mood. In contempt, Haile Selassie said: “We would have much preferred attending your funeral than seeing you here in person.”
Asfaw Wossen tried to explain away his role. He said he was “forced” to say the things he said and that they gave him no choice. Haile Selassie ordered a wide
investigation and arrest of all who directly and indirectly participated in the coup attempt. Some of the coup leaders such as Col. Workneh Gebeyehu and Shambel Telahun Baye fought to the end and died. Haile Selassie ordered the hanging of their corpses. General Mengistu Neway was caught seriously wounded. He was summarily executed by hanging.
The fate of those who were spared from the hangman’s noose was not much better. They were tortured in prison. Interrogators strung water filled bottles on
their genitals to extract information. They were beaten senseless and all signed confessions about their guilt. The chairman of the investigation committee,
Ras Asrate Kassa traveled from prison to prison spitting on the prisoners and calling them disgusting names. He ordered corporal punishment for the prisoners often accomplished by lashing. Many of these prisoners living today still carry the scars of those lashes.
Does Asfaw Wossen remember his acts of chicanery in this affair? Will he say he knows nothing about this shameful and sordid affair?
Haile Selassie’s government became worse after the coup. A terrible famine overtook the country. It became critical in Wello. Neither Haile Selassie nor Asfaw Wossen took any serious interest or action to address the problem. But much effort was made to conceal the magnitude of the problem from the Ethiopian people and the international community. Amid this famine, cakes and champaign were being imported from England for lavish royal weddings.
Finally, the Wello famine became the bane of Haile Selassie and his family. Nonetheless, the Derg’s killing of Haile Selassie is to be condemned and those responsible must be brought to justice.
Asfaw Wossen left for England just before the military takeover. When the Derg took power and led the country on a path of endless wars, famine and destruction, Asfaw Wossen did not make a single protest. He was living in comfort and luxury and enjoying the hospitality of the British government. There is not an instance I know of when he registered a protest or appeal to the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity or any other international body during the 17 years of Derg rule.
What is so sad is not just that he remained silent about what was happening in the country. It is his collusion with the Derg to divide up Haile Selassie’s foreign bank accounts that is most reprehensible. This agreement was reported in the Italian newspaper Domenica del Cornie in an article entitled “Even the Son Sold Out His Father.”
What did Asfaw Wossen do with his share of the money? Did he share his wealth with the starving children of Ethiopia? Did he do anything for his people who were dying from famine, natural catastrophes and the Derg’s atrocities? Of course not! He gave nothing nor did he do anything meaningful to help his people. Instead, he arranged to have himself coronated as Amha Selassie I. He gave a lavish party to the English royal family and other stateless royalty. The expenses incurred on this day could have saved thousands of Ethiopians dying from starvation.
History seems to have a way of repeating itself. During the Italian occupation Asfaw Wossen’s father went to England and spent five years there in the lap of luxury. He returned “triumphantly” without ever fighting the enemy. Now his son, Asfaw Wossen, is trying to do the same after he forgot and disowned his people for seventeen years and divided up the peoples’ wealth with the Derg regime.
He now has the drums beating: “Moa Anbessa! I am here. I am your symbol of unity. Receive me with adulation.” He conveniently forgets his treachery and
chicanery and the corpses he left behind. He just wants to become king! It should be remembered that because of his inaction and treachery, the coup attempt
by General Mengistu Neway and others failed and that his father tyrannically ruled Ethiopia for the next fourteen years. Asfaw Wossen is living testimony to the fact that those who claim divine power to rule have no conscience. He is now cynically trying to take advantage of the people’s current adversity by offering to replant the yoke of monarchical rule.
Only true democracy can help achieve true unity. Where there is freedom and when the people’s rights are secured, then our future in unity will have been guaranteed. Indeed, some might try to exploit the lack of political sophistication of the people. However, they should never forget that the Ethiopian people have learned from hard experience the virtues of self-rule. They will not accept “Moa Anbessa, elect of God.”
The Crown rule was started and ended in blood. If Asfaw Wossen truly has the people’s interest at heart, he should remain wherever he is and not go back. He is old in age and in very poor health. He should ask for the forgiveness of the Ethiopian people. They are forgiving. They will allow him the honor of being buried on Ethiopian soil. Otherwise, it is both folly and vain to ask the people he deserted yesterday to embrace him with love and gratitude today. Asfaw Wossen is not needed to keep the country’s unity.
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Ato Getachew Garedew was one of the participants in the failed coup against
Haile Selassie in 1962 led by General Mengistu Neway. He continued his opposition against Haile Selassie’s government after he went to exile in Somalia and later in Frankfurt, Germany where he currently resides.
This article is translated from Amharic by ER staff.