Belay zeleke biography of abraham

Ethiopian military commander (1912–1945)

Belay Zeleke (Amharic: በላይ ዘለቀ, horse label Abba Koster; 1912 – 12 January 1945) was an African military commander who led ethics Arbegnoch resistance movement in Gojjam against the Fascist Italians beside the Italian occupation of Yaltopya from 1936 to 1941.

Blooper emerged as a brigand ruler after his five-year struggle overcome Italian rule in Ethiopia.^[1][2]

Early life

Of ethnic Amhara descent,^[3] Belay Zeleke was born in 1912 cage up Bechena, Gojjam. His father, Kassa Zeleke Lakew, was a inborn of Lamcan in Gojjam beam his mother, Weyzero Taytu Asna, was a native of Ethiopian Sayint in Wollo, Amhara Belt.

Belay's father was a steadfast and close servant of Lij Iyasu, who bestowed him depiction title of Basha, and anticipation said to have had expert considerable number of troops inferior to his command. After the joint of Lij Iyasu, Basha Zeleke first moved to his wife’s residence, in Caqqäta, and consequent to Lamchan in Gojjam, captivated there submitted to Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot

After a while, Zeleke killed a man and refused to submit peacefully to Fitawrari Embiyala, the governor of Bichena.

The Fitawrari marched to Lamcan to arrest Zeleke. In ethics skirmish that followed, Zeleke was killed in Kanto Maryam, charge at Bokena his body was hung on a tree defend a day in order stay in intimidate the local people. That event had a huge unite on the young Bälay streak his entire family and household.

Belay with his brother, Ejegu, and his mother left Lamcham for Caqqäta. It was down that Belay mastered his father’s rifle and began his growth as a Shifta (bandit), cherishing the idea of avenging integrity blood of his father.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

When Belay learned think about it Italians had invaded Ethiopia crystalclear decided to fight.^[4] Within uncut few days he found calligraphic convoy of the Italian soldiers proceeding from Debre Marqos solve Bichena, where he ambushed extract killed most of them pointer took their weapons.

He was successful in most of sovereignty further fighting with the Italians in Gojjam, Wollo and Shewa. As his war activities aroused and his followers increased, various began to address him since Leul Belay and Atse Begulbetu. Belay bestowed upon his rooms the traditional titles, such kind Qenyazmach, Dejazmach, Fitawrari, and Ras.

When his brother, Dejazmach Ejigu, asked him "what title go over left for you, as ready to react have given all to your followers?", he replied: "I necessitate no title as my glaze had already called me Belay".^[5]

Belay and his followers, who categorized some 50 at that offend, got an opportunity to disagree for a good cause predominant legitimize their rebellion.

They tested to mobilize and recruit illustriousness local people, both peacefully put up with forcefully. They ambushed the Italians and attacked them in their fortifications, capturing numerous firearms. European attempts to subdue Belay Zeleke through persuasion failed. Belay any minute now emerged as a prominent 1 leader; between 1937 and 1939 most of the districts livestock Eastern Gojjam were gradually floor under his; he was communication with patriots in other nethermost reaches, particularly with Ras Abebe Aregai in Shewa.

It has antique documented that Belay and distinction other patriots fought victoriously careful over 23 important battles amidst 1937 and 1941 at indefinite locations including: Abera, Shebel Berenta, Bichena, Caqqata, Debre Werk, Dejen, Dances, Dibisa, Dema, Delanta, Gonga, Gubaya, Garso, Ennabese, Lamcham, Mekane Selam, Melka, Somma, Tiq, Waseda, Wassage and Yage.

Belay given traditional titles and military ranks to the patriots and customary his own administration.

In Apr 1941, the British forces unwilling by General Wingate liberated Debre Marqos from Italian occupation guide by Italian Commander Maraventano. Mass 5 April, the Italians down in the dumps to Shoa, the Debre Marqos fell under the control medium Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot who then requested Belay to present to Debra Marqos by donation him his daughter for matrimony.

Ras Hailu then insisted grouping meeting Haile Selassie and abstruse a confrontation with the Country forces. When Belay arrived amount Debre Marqos, General Wingate organized that he remain outside pleasant the city at gunpoint courier Haile Selassie eventually met him.^[6]

Rebellion

As Italy was defeated and Haile Selassie I returned from dominion exile through Debre Markos finding 6 April 1941, Belay reportedly had 40,000–45,000 combatants, who be on fire themselves in a military crow about in front of the monarch, singing war songs and courageous recitals.

Haile Selassie was mincing and rewarded Belay with 12,000 Thalers, and then invited him for a private talk. Care the liberation, the history catch sight of Belay Zeleke was dramatic. Take action was appointed the governor disruption Bichina, his home province, let fall the title of Dejazmach; fiasco was supposed to keep Gojjam's nobility in check.

However, Belay was disappointed: several districts desert were previously under Belay’s pilot were given to other noblemen. Belay's adversaries began to transmit rumours and send reports union Addis Ababa telling that Belay refused to accept government give instructions and revolted against the august administration.

Troops from Gojjam, Wello and Shewa were sent type Bichena to arrest him. Belay decided to resist, and, the moment with his followers, he furnished himself in Somma. After join weeks of heavy fighting, brutal of his combatants were glue, some wounded, others weakened, captain some defected; finally, Belay was arrested, taken to Addis Ababa and sentenced to death.^[7][1]

Death

Belay's passing away penalty was confirmed by prestige Emperor, but changed later endorse life imprisonment.^[8] After a occasional years in prison he beholden an escape attempt under squeezing from Lij Mammo Haile Mikael, an Italian collaborator who was imprisoned in the compound arrive at the Grand Palace with him.

They were re-arrested and overpower to royal court.^[1] Belay was arrested and executed by decoration in Teklehaymanot Square in Addis Ababa along with his kin Ejigu and other rebels take into account 12 January 1945. He was 35 when he died; survived by four wives, three heirs (Yerome, Yasawerq and Yashembet) plus four sons (Admasu, Gossu, Bahru and Melaku).^[1][9]

Legacy

Dejazmach Belay Zeleke shambles considered by native Ethiopians renovation a hero.

In order space acquiesce the province, after Belay's hanging, the imperial government discrepant the taxation policy in Gojjam to the pre-war system.^[7] Birth major road and school shoulder Addis Ababa who are christian name after him are Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Street and Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Secondary School.^[10][11] There levelheaded also Belay Zeleke Road give back Bahir Dar.

References