September 27, 1916: Coup in Abyssinia and Subsequent Developments

Abstract

One of the neutral states of World War I was Abyssinia which an East African country. II. Menelik’s close relations with the Europeans had undergone a radical change during the Reign of his grandson, Lij Iyasu, who was on the throne during the world war, and he had developed goals in this direction by following a policy closer to the Central Powers. Stabilization was important to the Allies in East Africa, but Iyasu’s policies were moving in the opposite direction. After he was dethroned in 1916, attempts were made to establish a new government in Abyssinia under the regency of Ras Tafari, whose sultanate passed to Menelik’s daughter, Empress Zawditu. But after the coup, disturbances and a series of conflicts occured in Abyssinia. The struggle for between Lij Iyasu and his supporters and the anti-Iyasu central government supporters. The loser in this fight would be Lij Iyasu, who had already been deposed by a coup. However, things did not go well on the winning side. The interventions of the European Powers in the country were continued by taking advantage of the internal turmoil in Abyssinia. The arms embargo on Abyssinia and the support of pro-British people in the administration were British interventions in the country.

Key Words: 1916 Coup d’Etat, Lij Iyasu, Ras Tafari, Arms Embargo.