Ethiopia’s Afe Negus Tilahun and the Italian Alcatraz
An Ethiopian activist travels to where her statesman relative was held prisoner during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War
Activist Wassy (Wossenyelesh) Tesfa recently visited the island of Asinara, the “Italian Alcatraz” which was infamously used as a prison for Ethiopians during the Italian Occupation of Ethiopia.
For Wassy, as it was for others, it was an emotional trip. As she related on Facebook, “For me, the island was both exciting and disappointing. The staff were very kind and excited to have us. I am grateful for that… It is not often that Western powers recognize their role in the history of oppression, there is much to improve. It was disappointing because it is a prison, with a hospital with not too much to show of our ancestors.”
And the debate goes on over the extent of Italian abuse. Interestingly enough, after Wassy saw photos of some prisoners working on farms, she inquired if the inmates were made to work. “They told us no — only criminals were made to work. But the next day in the testimonial from a descendent, we found out that they were put to work, while we learned in some places they were paid salaries from the government and lived very affluent lives.”
If so, these prisoners were the “lucky” ones, given that thousands of Ethiopians died from disease, starvation and sheer neglect in the concentration camps, such as Danane in what is now Somalia. I covered some of this in my book about the Second Italian-Ethiopian War, Prevail, and will touch on it again in a forthcoming new history.
Her trip prompted Wassy to share with me the unique family history of her great-grandfather, the remarkable statesman Afe Negus Tilahun. The work itself is a family affair, a collaboration with her brother, Thomas Tesfa; her sister, Mary Inku; and her cousins Teferi Cherinet, Habte Cherinet, Aynalem Berhanu, and Medhanit Tadesse. Wassy drew from German sources and the biography by Tsehafi Tezaz Merse Hazen, which vividly describes life during the reigns of Emperor Menelik II and Lij Iyasu, especially within the compound of Afe Negus Tilahun.
According to Wassy, the most credit, however, goes to her late mother, Manalebish Assefa: “a natural storyteller who preserved the family’s history through oral tradition. Manalebish’s mother, the daughter of Afe Negus Tilahun, had joined the partisans, leaving her children behind. At just five years old, Manalebish was placed with the four younger children of Tilahun: Tadesse, Tewabetch, Abebetch and Getachew Tilahun in Consolata, the Italian boarding school where the occupying forces housed the children of partisans and prisoners.”
For non-Ethiopians, Afe Negus literally means “Mouth of the King,” and would be the equivalent of a Chief Justice in either British or American law, or in the case here, as Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice.
He served loyally under Lij Iyasu, but Iyasu’s reign was highly controversial. Though the legitimate heir of Menelik, many of the most senior nobles were horrified by his erratic, often boorish behavior and his radical policies. But in more recent times, his brief reign has been reappraised, and he’s been credited with trying to create improved conditions and tolerance for Ethiopia’s Muslim population and for steering a neutral course during the First World War.
In 1916, a conspiracy of nobles — with the hidden support of Britain and other European powers — ousted Iyasu and replaced him with his aunt Zewditu as Empress and Ras Tafari Makonnen, the future Haile Selassie, as her regent. Though Tafari was not directly involved in the coup plot, his relationship with Iyasu was strained at best, and he knew he’d be the power behind Zewditu’s throne, getting his turn in time.
Ethiopian politics — long Africa’s real Game of Thrones — has always been a family affair. Ironically, even though Afe Negus Tilahun despised Haile Selassie, Wassy’s great-grandmother was a cousin to the emperor!
And so I present Wassy Tesfa’s biography of Afe Negus Tilahun as a guest column for my readers:
AFE NEGUS TILAHUN
Early Life and Education
Afe Negus Tilahun Habte was a distinguished Ethiopian statesman who served under both Emperor Menelik II and his grandson, Lij Iyasu. He held the position of Minister of Justice — becoming the second individual to do so under Menelik II and the only person to serve in that capacity during Lij Iyasu’s brief reign.
Born in Menz in 1868 to Basha Habte Ledetu and Weizero Welete Rufael Yenesuleh, Tilahun received a rigorous traditional education in Dawit, Kene, Zema, ultimately attaining the highest level of learning available at the time. His intellectual brilliance led his father to present him to Emperor Menelik, who was immediately impressed by Tilahun’s eloquence and command of language. The emperor appointed him to read royal proclamations (Awaj).
Rise at Menelik’s Imperial Court
Recognizing his talent, Emperor Menelik entrusted the young Tilahun with the management of the estate of his daughter, Weizero Shewareged, the mother of Lij Iyasu. Later he was also assigned to tutor the young Iyasu. During that time, Tilahun introduced a progressive and equitable taxation system — including levying taxes [አፍጣጭ አጉረጥራጭ] on individuals who witnessed crimes but failed to intervene — thereby promoting both increased state revenue and civic responsibility.
His capabilities earned him growing responsibilities at the imperial court. Emperor Menelik gave him in marriage his cousin, Woizero Wossenyelesh Seifu, a granddaughter of King Sahle Selassie of Shewa. After her passing, Tilahun later married Woizero Sahalitu of Yeju.
Loyal Service to Lij Iyasu: Legal Reformer and Patron to Churches
Tilahun remained a key councilor to Lij Iyasu, the heir to Menelik’s throne, even after Menelik’s death and Ras Tesema was assigned as Iyasu’s regent. Meanwhile, Menelik’s council of ministers with Fitawrari Habte Giorgis as defense minister remained in their offices and distanced themselves from Lij Iyasu.
Throughout the turbulent political struggles following Emperor Menelik’s death, Afe Negus Tilahun remained steadfastly loyal to Iyasu, whom he regarded as Menelik’s rightful heir.
Following the rise of Emperor Haile Selassie and the fall of Iyasu, Tilahun’s pivotal contributions during this reformative period were largely erased from the historical record, as were those of most officials aligned with Lij Iyasu. Nevertheless, he played an essential role in modernizing Ethiopia’s legal and policing systems, including the abolition of the Quragna ( ቋረኛ) system and inhumane practices such as chaining the accused and accuser together.
A devout patron of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Tilahun, in partnership with his wife, founded the Kebena Abune Gebre Menfeskedus Church (Abo). He donated land, oversaw its construction, and generously funded priests and deacons who came from across Ethiopia to serve. Among those educated there was the noted historian Merse Hazen Welde Kirkos, whose father later became one of the church’s leaders. During Lij Iyasu’s reign, the home of Afe Negus Tilahun also served as both a political hub and a vibrant center of intellectual life.
Captivity in Italy
During the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936–1941), Tilahun was captured and imprisoned in various locations across Italy with his manservant Sela Dengay — including Rome, a monastery near Naples, and the island of Asinara. While in captivity, he famously wrote to the British government, which was then hosting Haile Selassie in exile, denouncing the emperor’s legitimacy and demanding answers regarding the fate of Lij Iyasu. Tilahun never reconciled with Emperor Haile Selassie and remained loyal to Iyasu even after his death.
Despite his political opposition, Tilahun displayed nobility and compassion while imprisoned. Princess Romanework, daughter of Emperor Haile Selassie, was detained with him along with her three young children — one of whom tragically died in custody. He directed his manservant, Sela Dingay, who was also imprisoned with him, to assist her, honoring her royal status and recognizing her maternal needs.
Final Days and Legacy
Afe Negus Tilahun was released shortly before the liberation of Ethiopia in May 1941 and passed soon after at the age of 73. He is buried in the family mausoleum built by Lij Iyasu, in Selassie Church where his first wife also rests. He was survived by seven children, two sons and five daughters.
**
Here is Wassy Tesfa with Weinishet Beshahured, the last survivor from Asinar. She was five years old when she was interned with her mother. A witness to the degradations and injustices of Fascist Italy perpetrated on the Ethiopian people, but most importantly… a survivor.
