Ras Makonnen

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Ras Makonnen Woldemikael Gudessa, KCMG (May 8, 1852–March 21, 1906) was a general and the governor of Harar province in Ethiopia, and the father of Tafari Makonnen, later known as the Emperor Haile Selassie I. His father was Fitawrari Woldemikael Guddessa. Makonnen was a grandson of King Sahle Selassie of Shewa through his mother, Princess Tenagnework Sahle Selassie. As such, he was a first cousin of Emperor Menelik II, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty.

He married a woman of mixed Oromo and Gurage ethnicity, Yeshimebet Ali. Following her death, he was briefly married to a niece of Empress Taitu Betul, Woizero Mentewab, but the marriage was never consummated, and was later annulled. He was given the governorship of Harar after it was incorporated into the Ethiopian Empire by his cousin, the Emperor. Other posts Ras Makonnen served included temporary governor of Tigray after the removal of the rebellious Ras Mengesha Yohannes, as a general during various military campaigns including during the First Italo–Ethiopian War, including a leading role at the Battle of Adowa where Ethiopian forces routed the Italians, and as a diplomat and de facto foreign minister.

In the 1890s, as Governor of Harar, Ras Makonnen became a close friend of Arthur Rimbaud, who was then living and doing business in Harar.

In 1902, Ras Makonnen attended the coronation of King Edward VII in England, and paid visits to Italy, France, Turkey, and Germany. He received the following decorations: Badge & Star of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (Knight Commander), Star of the Russian Order of St. Anne, Star of the French Legion d'Honneur (Third Republic), Star of the Order of the Crown of Italy, Star of the Ottoman Order of Osmania.

Ras Makonnen also had a son previous to his marriage to Wayzero Yeshimabet, Dejazmach Yilma Makonnen, who succeeded him as governor of Harar in 1906, and who was in turn succeeded by the future Emperor, Haile Selassie I.

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