Issue #3
Apr. 20th 2001
The Dread of Taitu ...by Nia
Many a historian will try and paint her as a callous woman who, without just cause, used her power and position for her own selfish reasons. A woman who most likely against the better judgement of her husband had way too much influence on the affairs of Ethiopia. When in fact Her Majesty Empress Taitu was a valiant warrior, the decisive half of her union with Menelik, a woman who was proud and steadfast in her God, her people, and most of all the sovereignty of her land.
Taitu had been told by a seer at an early age that she would marry into royalty. Though she was already in fact born of royal blood, she consciously made every effort to see this prophecy fulfilled. This was evident by the various marriages and political alliances engaged by Taitu prior to her union with Emperor Menelik II. However, it was through this union and her reign as Empress that she would become the great champion of Ethiopia's sovereignty.
In the matter of the Treaty of Wuchale, Taitu was a force to be reckoned with. It was Her Imperial Majesty the Empress who asked the questions that the ruthlessly two-faced Italians dreaded having to answer, but they were at her mercy each and every time.
Menelik's Italian adviser, Antonelli would thus conduct the matters of the Treaty of Wuchale, during which time Taitu's angst for anti-foreign involvement in the matters of Ethiopia would be made known. She didn't see a need for foreign influence of any kind. She reminded Menelik as well that his behavior and lackadaisical attitude towards the Italians was wrong...stating at one point in reference to Eritrea, "that is was the first time in the history of Ethiopia that an Emperor had given away part of the country..."
The Treaty of Wuchale.
There was one particular item in this treaty that caused havoc in Ethiopia's relations with Italy. Article 17 stated that Ethiopia would not allow any other nation to protect her and that Ethiopia would consult Italy in all matters concerning her and other nations. In his own words, "Italy makes it known the empire of Ethiopia is not it's protectorate and the Emperor will refuse to any other power such an declaration." This no doubt upset the Italian government who felt, as most European governments did at the time, that "these Africans can be over taken with little force". The Empress wanted this article to be abolished completely from the Treaty, while the Emperor was willing to freeze it as it was in Italian and Amharic for five years until the treaty was due for review. These pompous Italians argued that the article could not be changed without Italy losing its dignity. The Empress maintained, "we too must maintain our dignity." This no doubt pissed the Italians off even more. But Taitu, the Empress of Ethiopia would not be moved!!
Eventually Menelik would turn the tables on the Italians by tricking them to sign an addendum to the article that the Italians believed stated in Amharic as well as in Italian that the sides were in agreement and that Ethiopia would in fact call to Italy, however by choice not by force. When in fact the Amharic version abolished the article completely. Taitu had won again. These Africans had not been won over so easily after all!! They displayed the wisdom inherent of their Solomonic blood.
Upon learning of this Antonelli stormed into the palace demanding time with the Emperor. But when Taitu asked Antonelli to show her where in the Treaty did it say (in Amharic) that Italy would serve as Ethiopia's Protectorate, he could not. The Italians had got a taste of their own medicine. The relations between the two countries would become more strained and would eventually lead to war. In the time of war, Her Majesty Empress Taitu would once again show her power through strategic tactics that would lead her country to victory.
ETHIOPIA TIMES Vol.1
