His main interest was the highly profitable arms trade, for which the ras was in constant commercial relations with various Greek traders in Massawa. From that moment, Alula did his best to secure the trade route to the coast in spite of the international problems involved. Commanded by one of Walda Mikael devoted Kantiba Shawish, the Ethiopian army entered Bogos, and taxed the various tribes, Europian colonists and missionaries.Īfter Alula arrival in Hamasen in 1879, Allula had renewed commerce with Massawa, hitherto adversely affected by the Egyptian campagn and the struggle with Ras Walda Mikael. In August 1879 Alula ordered his deputy Walda Mikael to send his troops forward. (whose religious activities Yohannes denounced) had also served the Egyptian cause and had harboured Ethiopian outlaws like Walde-Mikael and Bahta Hagos. The French in Massawa were concerned about a possible Ethiopan advance, especially to Bogos, where their Lazzarist missionaries In July 1879 with Walda Mika el in his camp Allula crossed the Merab and camped at Gura in Akalla Guzay. An advance guard cut the Hamasen –Bogos road to block Walda Mikael’ escape route( Haggai Erlich's, "Ras Alula". Ras Alula had mobilised a 20, 000 man army in Tigre and on the first Saturday after Mesqal 27/ 1878 he crossed the Marab and entered Hamasen. The Christian elite of Eritrea never forgave Alula for putting an end to their political autonomy and for deposing their regional leader Ras Walda Mikael px Yet he never succeeded in having full control of Eritrea. The only way he could feed his large army was to raid different parts of Eritrea and loot livestock and other property. His was the first non-Eritrean to rule the highlands of Eritrea. Ras Alula raided and pillaged several parts of Eritrea at different times before and after his appointment as Governor of Seraye, Hamassein and Akle Guzai on 9th October, 1876. Ras Woldemikael Solomon, ruler of Hamasein (1841 – 1879) from Hazega replaced Ras Hailu Tecle Haimanot of Tsatzega who was close to Atse Tedros. When Atse Yohannes took over in Tigray, the highlands of Eritrea were autonomous regions ruled by local families. Crimes committed against the Eritrean people by Ras Alula and Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia Ras Alula
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