Lij Iyasu: Emperor of Ethiopia

 

         

                        Early Life and Background

Lij Iyasu, born Iyasu Mikael in 1895, was the grandson of Emperor Menelik II, one of Ethiopia’s most powerful rulers. His father was Negus Mikael of Wollo, a prominent Muslim-turned-Christian noble, and his mother was Shoaregga Menelik, the daughter of Menelik II. This gave Iyasu royal blood from both the northern and southern nobility of Ethiopia.

From a young age, he was groomed to take over the throne, especially as Menelik II aged and became ill. In 1909, Emperor Menelik II named Lij Iyasu as his successor, even though he never received the official title of “Emperor.”

                      🌿Rise to Power

After Menelik II fell into a coma in 1909, Ethiopia was ruled by Empress Zewditu as regent, with actual power controlled by a council. When Menelik died in 1913, Lij Iyasu took control of the empire. However, he was never officially crowned. Many nobles and church officials were suspicious of his leadership, especially because of:

                        #His close ties to Muslim communities

                        #His interest in Islamic culture

His diplomatic contacts with the Ottoman Empire and Germany (during WWI)

                              Controversial Reign

Lij Iyasu’s reign (1913–1916) was short but dramatic. He tried to modernize Ethiopia and bring unity among Muslims, Christians, and different ethnic groups. However, these reforms worried the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the conservative nobility.

                             Critics accused him of:

    Converting to Islam (though never officially proven)

          Being too friendly with Muslims and foreigners

                Abandoning Christian traditions

In 1916, he was deposed in a political and religious coup. His aunt, Empress Zewditu, was crowned as ruler, and Ras Tafari Makonnen (later Emperor Haile Selassie I) was made regent and heir.

                            Life in Hiding and Death

After his removal from power, Lij Iyasu went into hiding in various regions of Ethiopia, often protected by loyalists. For 5 years, he evaded capture. But in 1921, he was finally arrested by government forces.

He remained a political prisoner for the rest of his life. Lij Iyasu died in 1935, under mysterious circumstances. Some say he was poisoned to prevent any future threat to the monarchy.

                                      Legacy

Lij Iyasu remains one of the most controversial and mysterious figures in Ethiopian history. He was a visionary who sought unity among Ethiopia’s diverse populations, but his progressive ideas were seen as a threat by the traditional elite.

        Some modern historians view him as:

          A reformer ahead of his time

          A victim of religious and political power struggles

          A symbol of Ethiopia’s forgotten possibilities

   

                                Interesting Facts

           He was never officially crowned Emperor.

Many Muslims in Ethiopia see him as a unifier and misunderstood leader.

     He had plans to build stronger ties with Turkey and Germany rather than Britain and France.

                                    Conclusion

Lij Iyasu’s story is a tale of hope, change, and tragedy. Though his reign lasted only a few years, his legacy still sparks debate today. Was he a misguided prince or a visionary emperor? The answer may depend on who tells the story.