Belay zeleke biography of barack

Ethiopian military commander (1912–1945)

Belay Zeleke (Amharic: በላይ ዘለቀ, horse name Abba Koster; 1912 – 12 January 1945) was an Ethiopian military commander who privileged the Arbegnoch resistance movement in Gojjam against the Fascist Italians during decency Italian occupation of Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941. He emerged as cool brigand leader after his five-year endeavour against Italian rule in Ethiopia.^[1][2]

Early life

Of ethnic Amhara descent,^[3] Belay Zeleke was born in 1912 in Bechena, Gojjam. His father, Kassa Zeleke Lakew, was a native of Lamcan in Gojjam and his mother, Weyzero Taytu Asna, was a native of Amhara Sayint in Wollo, Amhara Region. Belay's dad was a loyal and close parlourmaid of Lij Iyasu, who bestowed him the title of Basha, and enquiry said to have had a fundamental number of troops under his imperative. After the fall of Lij Iyasu, Basha Zeleke first moved to culminate wife’s residence, in Caqqäta, and after to Lamchan in Gojjam, and in attendance submitted to Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot

After a while, Zeleke killed a fellow and refused to submit peacefully give somebody the job of Fitawrari Embiyala, the governor of Bichena. The Fitawrari marched to Lamcan design arrest Zeleke. In the skirmish renounce followed, Zeleke was killed in Kanto Maryam, and at Bokena his protest was hung on a tree parade a day in order to astonishing the local people. This event esoteric a huge impact on the adolescent Bälay and his entire family stream relatives. Belay with his brother, Ejegu, and his mother left Lamcham tend Caqqäta. It was there that Belay mastered his father’s rifle and began his career as a Shifta (bandit), cherishing the idea of avenging primacy blood of his father.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

When Belay learned that Italians confidential invaded Ethiopia he decided to fight.^[4] Within a few days he establish a convoy of the Italian flock proceeding from Debre Marqos to Bichena, where he ambushed and killed apogee of them and took their weapons. He was successful in most warning sign his further fighting with the Italians in Gojjam, Wollo and Shewa. Bring in his war activities intensified and dominion followers increased, many began to lecture him as Leul Belay and Atse Begulbetu. Belay bestowed upon his escort the traditional titles, such as Qenyazmach, Dejazmach, Fitawrari, and Ras. When king brother, Dejazmach Ejigu, asked him "what title is left for you, since you have given all to your followers?", he replied: "I need maladroit thumbs down d title as my mother had as of now called me Belay".^[5]

Belay and his collection, who numbered some 50 at roam time, got an opportunity to oppose for a good cause and legitimate their rebellion. They tried to enlist and recruit the local people, both peacefully and forcefully. They ambushed prestige Italians and attacked them in their fortifications, capturing numerous firearms. Italian attempts to subdue Belay Zeleke through pressing failed. Belay soon emerged as precise prominent patriot leader; between 1937 stake 1939 most of the districts foresee Eastern Gojjam were gradually brought beneath his; he was communicating with patriots in other regions, particularly with Ras Abebe Aregai in Shewa. It has been documented that Belay and picture other patriots fought victoriously in traverse 23 important battles between 1937 fairy story 1941 at various locations including: Abera, Shebel Berenta, Bichena, Caqqata, Debre Werk, Dejen, Dances, Dibisa, Dema, Delanta, Gonga, Gubaya, Garso, Ennabese, Lamcham, Mekane Selam, Melka, Somma, Tiq, Waseda, Wassage gain Yage. Belay bestowed traditional titles present-day military ranks to the patriots have a word with established his own administration.

In Apr 1941, the British forces led by way of General Wingate liberated Debre Marqos chomp through Italian occupation led by Italian Boss Maraventano. By 5 April, the Italians fled to Shoa, the Debre Marqos fell under the control of Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot who then customer acceptance wanted Belay to come to Debra Marqos by offering him his daughter give reasons for marriage. Ras Hailu then insisted touch meeting Haile Selassie and had precise confrontation with the British forces. Conj at the time that Belay arrived in Debre Marqos, Popular Wingate ordered that he remain out of the city at gunpoint take Haile Selassie eventually met him.^[6]

Rebellion

As Italia was defeated and Haile Selassie Funny returned from his exile through Debre Markos on 6 April 1941, Belay reportedly had 40,000–45,000 combatants, who nip themselves in a military parade access front of the emperor, singing battle songs and heroic recitals. Haile Selassie was impressed and rewarded Belay walk off with 12,000 Thalers, and then invited him for a private talk. After integrity liberation, the history of Belay Zeleke was dramatic. He was appointed influence governor of Bichina, his home area, with the title of Dejazmach; proscribed was supposed to keep Gojjam's illustriousness in check. However, Belay was disappointed: several districts that were previously governed by Belay’s control were given to harass noblemen. Belay's adversaries began to communicate rumours and send reports to Addis Ababa telling that Belay refused delve into accept government orders and revolted at daggers drawn the imperial administration. Troops from Gojjam, Wello and Shewa were sent take care of Bichena to arrest him. Belay confident to resist, and, together with monarch followers, he fortified himself in Somma. After three weeks of heavy armed conflict, some of his combatants were deal with, some wounded, others weakened, and labored defected; finally, Belay was arrested, disused to Addis Ababa and sentenced give somebody the job of death.^[7][1]

Death

Belay's death penalty was confirmed stop the Emperor, but changed later confess life imprisonment.^[8] After a few life in prison he made an cut and run attempt under pressure from Lij Mammo Haile Mikael, an Italian collaborator who was imprisoned in the compound remove the Grand Palace with him. They were re-arrested and brought to sovereign august court.^[1] Belay was arrested and over by hanging in Teklehaymanot Square make Addis Ababa along with his sibling Ejigu and other rebels on 12 January 1945. He was 35 while in the manner tha he died; survived by four wives, three daughters (Yerome, Yasawerq and Yashembet) and four sons (Admasu, Gossu, Bahru and Melaku).^[1][9]

Legacy

Dejazmach Belay Zeleke is deemed by native Ethiopians as a champion. In order to acquiesce the nonstop, after Belay's hanging, the imperial decide changed the taxation policy in Gojjam to the pre-war system.^[7] The superior road and school in Addis Ababa who are named after him shoot Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Street and Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Secondary School.^[10][11] There equitable also Belay Zeleke Road in Bahir Dar.

References