CIRCULAR LETTER*
sent by Emperor Menelek to the Heads of European States
in 1891
Being desirous to make
known to our friends the Powers (Sovereigns) of Europe
the boundaries of Ethiopia, we have addressed also to
you (your Majesty) the present letter.
These are the
boundaries of Ethiopia:-
 "waayadii hore soohdinta Itoobiya badda ayay ku
sinnayd, hase ahaatee kolkii ay weydey awood ku filan oo
ay wax isaga caabbido, xoogagga kiristaanka ahina ay wax
kaalmo ah taaran waayeen ayay soohdimahayagii badda
gaarsiisnaan jirey waxay u gacan-galeen quwado muslin
ah"
Menelek II: April 10, 1891...
Akhri...
 Xuseen
Maxamed Faarax Ceydiid Ra'iisul-wasaare K/xigeenka
ahna Wasiirka Arrimaha Gudaha DFKMG ee lagu soo
dhisay Nairobi oo Magaalada Muqdisho dhawr
maalmood kadib markii ay qabsadeen ciidamada
Ethiopia kula hadalyey odayaal dhaqameedyo ayaa
sheegay in Soomaaliya si toos ah loo hoos
keenayo Ethiopia, oo labada dal laga dhigayo hal
dal, Xadka in la baabi'inayo, Hal Ciidan ay
yeelanayaan, Hal dhaqaale yeelanayaan, hal
Baasaboor ay qaadaan Soomaalida iyo Itoobiyaanku.
Xuseen Caydiid: Jan 2, 2007... Akhri..
Ciidamo Itoobiyaan ah oo harsanaya Geed-hindi;
Muqdisho Jan 4, 2007. AFP |
Starting from the
Italian boundary of Arafale, which is situated on the
sea, the line goes westward over the plain (Meda) of
Gegra towards Mahio, Halai, Digsa, and Gura up to
Adibaro. From Adibaro to the junction of the Rivers
Mareb and Arated.
From this point the
line runs southward to the junction of the Atbara and
Setit Rivers, where is situated the town known as Tomat.
From Tomat the frontier
embraces the Province of Gederef up to Karkoj on the
Blue Nile. From Karkoj the line passes to the junction
of the Sobat River with the White Nile. From thence the
frontier follows the River Sobat including the country
of Arbore, Gallas and reaches Samburu.
Towards the east are
included within the frontier the country of the Borana
Gallas and Arussi country up to the limits of the
Somalis, including also the Province of Ogaden .
To the northward the
line of the frontier includes the Habar Awal, the
Gadabursi, and Essa Somalis , and
reaches Ambos.
Leaving Ambos the line
includes Lake Assal, the province of our ancient vassal
Mohamed Anfari, skirts the coast of the sea, and rejoins
Arafale.
While tracing today the
actual boundaries of my Empire, I shall endeavour, if
God gives me life and strength, to re-establish the
ancient frontiers (tributaries) of Ethiopia up to
Khartoum, and as Lake Nyanza with all the Gallas.
Ethiopia has been for
fourteen centuries a Christian island in a sea of
pagans. If powers at a distance come forward to
partition Africa between them, I do not intend to be an
indifferent spectator.
As the Almighty has
protected Ethiopia up to this day, I have confidence He
will continue to protect her, and increase her
borders in the future . I am
certain He will not suffer her to be divided among other
Powers.
Formerly the boundary
of Ethiopia was the sea. Having lacked strength
sufficient, and having received no help from Christian
Powers, our frontier on the sea coast fell into the
power of the Muslim-man.
At present we do not
intend to regain our sea frontier by force, but we trust
that the Christian Power, guided by our Saviour,
will restore to us our sea-coast line, at any rate,
certain points on the coast .
Written at Addis Ababa,
the 14 th Mazir, 1883 (10 th April, 1891).
(Translated direct from
the Amharic.)
Adis Ababa, 4 th May,
1897.
This letter was
addressed to Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia
Public Records
Office (London), Foreign Office 1/32 Rodd to Sallisbury,
No. 15, 4 th May. Also see The Somali Peninsula, p. 86.
Isha: Samaddoon oo
ka sii xigtey Himilo
Daabaco
Boggan | Print
