BY STAFF REPORTER
Deceit and trick were at the epicenter of the all-out efforts of colonization. Many of the colonialists controlled their colonies through treacherous agreements. One such attempt was the one by the Italians attempted to control Ethiopia.
As part of that the then Italian devised the Wuchale treaty , Signed at a place called Yisma Negus, near Wuchale town in Wollo, the treaty which is mainly a trade pact between Italy and Ethiopia had 21 articles.
But the out of the articles the 17th article had discrepancy in the Amharic and Italian versions. This needed a compatriot that skillfully comprehends the two languages. Here came the role of an intellectual who was studying in Italy at the moment.
Afenegus (later Professor) Afework Gebreyesus of Zege (one of the Islands in Lake Tana). He was one of the early modern scholars of Ethiopia. Educated in Italy, he wrote the first novel in Ethiopia (some say in Africa) titled Tobia in 1908. He later served as Ethiopia’s ambassador to Italy.
One big role he played for his country while studying abroad was that he disclosed the discrepancy between the Amharic and Italian version of the 17th article of the treaty. He was doing all this under pressure which can be tantamount to fighting for the sovereignty of his country.
Even though he faced the pressure from the enemy side, his compatriots led by Emperor Menelik II have paid sacrifice and overturned the mischievous and controversial agreement.
Just as the legacy left by the victory of Adwa, the patriotic works of Ethiopian diaspora has ever since been repeated in many places and in many occasions.
For instance Ethiopian scholars working and studying in various corners of the world have been contributing their share in defending the national interest of the country in connection with the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the legal grounds behind the government’s law enforcement operation in Tigray as well as the ongoing border row between Ethiopia and Sudan.
For many years Ethiopians have been traveling to various countries due to various reasons like education, work and fleeing war as well as seeking better living condition there.
This has actually affected the country by draining the human resource of the country which would have played meaningful role in the social, political and economic development.
However the deep sense of unity instilled by the heroism of Ethiopians at the Battle of Adwa , those who left the country many decades ago are showing their loyalty to their nation by being voice to their compatriots. Especially at a time the country needs to clear up misunderstandings and intentional smear campaigns, many members of the diaspora have stepped in to defend the image of their nation.
The Ethiopian Herald March 2/2021
