Mersha Nahusenay

Childhood and Formative Years

Ato (Mr.) Mersha Nahusenay (አቶ መርሻ ናሁሠናይ) was born around 1850 near the town of Ankober, the former capital of Shewa.

According to oral history, Mersha came from a family of priests. His parents were strict followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox faith and religion played a central role in their life. Mersha's childhood was hence heavily influenced by events involving the Church where he was also baptized. Family lore further indicates that his father possessed a land given to him in return for the service he rendered to the church. In addition to holding lands, churches at the time received considerable assistance from the royal palace which they then used to provide key services to their members and communities, including the education of children. Thus Mersha was taught reading and writing at an early age and received traditional church education. Whether or not he had any siblings is unknown; however, the name Mersha in the Amharic language suggests that his parents were trying to forget a traumatic experience such as the loss of a previous child.

Growing up, Mersha spent a great deal of time on the farm with his parents. He traveled to various places within Shewa and beyond allowing him to interact with a diverse group of people and explore opportunities which existed for a career in a secular field. For example, he learned early on the importance of learning local as well as foreign languages. Beyond these sketchy details, little is known about Mersha’s early life at this point. It is unclear, for example, if he had royal ancestry. The fact that he was later married to the daughter of one of Menilek’s trusted servants suggests, however, that the family had close ties to the palace.

Overall there is little doubt that Mersha's formative and early adulthood experiences helped him prepare for his long and illustrious public career. It's worth noting that today Ankober is one of many districts (woredas) of Ethiopia. But back then, it was the capital of one of several powerful kingdoms. The following quote encapsulates the vitality of the Ankober area at the time:

“The early nineteenth-century Shawan royal capital of Ankober was a spectacular sight, ‘perched at 2400 meters atop a volcanic cone above the steep escarpment of the eastern highlands’. It commanded a prosperous, cosmopolitan and culturally diverse polity. Founded as a frontier outpost in the late-eighteenth century, fifty years later Ankober stood amidst a rich agricultural area and controlled the Red Sea trade through regional markets such as Aliyu Amba. Visited by Muslim merchants and traders from the Mediterranean, and a busy ecclesiastical base of Orthodox theology, Ankober was a lively commercial and intellectual center.”

By mid-19th century, Ankober had established trade and diplomatic ties with the outside world. As a result there was strong public interest in international affairs, foreign languages, history, geography and medicine, as well as the design, manufacturing and function of machines and tools as documented by missionaries. Under Menilek, the last ruler of Shewa (1865–1889), Ankober rapidly evolved into a vibrant political and economic center. Trade was expanded to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea via Harar.

Mersha also grew up in one of the most historic and consequential periods in the nation's history. The second half of the nineteenth century was a turning point in the sense that it marked the end a long period of deep divisions within and between the various kingdoms located in the northern part of the country known as the Era of Princes or Zemene Mesafint (1769–1855). Emperor Tewodros (Tewodros II) was the first ruler (1855–1868) to try and unify the northern kingdoms. Also Included in Tewodros’s vision was the introduction of European-style civilization. His efforts were cut short however by internal resistance and external challenges as well as his untimely death. Emperor Yohannes (Yohannes IV) further pursued the unification agenda during his reign (1872–1889), but he was unfortunately killed in a war. Emperor Menelik II (1889–1913), his successor, the fortunate one to realize the dreams of his predecessors and much more. He succeeded in bringing together under a cental authority northern and southern regions and territories paving the way for the emergence of the Ethiopia that we know today. He used a combination of military campaigns and diplomacy to create a new empire.

Menilek's extraordinary achievements, including his leadership in the decisive victory over Italy at Adwa, in 1896, enabled him to put the country on the path to stability and modernization. According to the prominent Ethiopian historian Tekletsadiq Mekuria, Menilek’s top priorities included: negotiating Ethiopia’s borders with the three European colonial powers (i.e., France, Britain and Italy) who controlled much of Eastern Africa; securing access to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea as a way of improving trade relations with Europe and beyond; maintaining security and stability across the vast empire; implementing wide-ranging political, economic and social reforms; and building Ethiopia’s image abroad.

As will be seen below, Mersha was at the forefront of most, if not all, of these undertakings. He answered repeated calls for public service and rose to the occasion by taking on challenging tasks. More importantly, he was a strong advocate for reform and European-style modernization. The renowned Ethiopian historian Tekletsadiq Mekuria wrote in his book Atse Menilek and the Unity of Ethiopia:

“ስለዚህ ዐፄ ምኒልክ የነዚህንና የውጭ አገር ተወላጅ አማካሪዎች ምክር በመስማት እውጭ አገር ደርሰው መጠነኛ እውቀት እየቀሰሙ የተመለሱትን የነግራዝማች ዬሴፍን፤ የነነጋድራስ ዘውገን፤ የእነ አቶ አጥሜን፤ የነ አቶ መርሻ ናሁ ሠናይን፤ የነ ብላታ ገብረ እግዚአብሔርን፤ የነ ከንቲባ ገብሩን፤ የነአለቃ ታየን፤ የነነጋድራስ ገብረ ሕይወት ባይከዳኝን፤ የነአቶ ኃይለማርያም ስራብዮንን፤ አስተያየት በማዳመጥ በአገራቸው የአውሮፓን ሥልጣኔ ለማስገባት ታጥቀው ተነሡ።”

English translation: “Thus, after listening to the advice of these and other personal foreign advisors and taking into account the views of those who had travelled abroad and returned with limited knowledge such as Grazmach Yosef, Negaddras Zewge, Ato Atsme, Ato Mersha Nahusenay, Blata Gebre Egziabher, Kentiba Gebru, Aleqa Taye, Negadras Gebre Hiwot Baykedagn and Ato Hailemariam Serabyo, Atse Menilek decided to introduce European civilization to his country.”

Later life

Whether or not Mersha Nahusenay held any government positions before Menilek II became Emperor of Ethiopia in 1889 remains unknown. What is evident from historical records is sometime in the early 1890s, at the age of about 40, he left his birthplace and settled in the Harar province where he became a prominent public official. By then, Ankober had declined in part due to the rise of Addis Abeba (Addis Ababa), the new capital of Ethiopia founded in 1886 by Menilek and his influential wife Empress Taytu Betul (1851–1918).

Governor of Jaldessa and Head of Imperial Customs

Mersha’s relocation to Harar marked the beginning of his long and distinguished career. By some accounts as early as 1892, but surely by 1895, he was appointed governor of Jaldessa (Gildessa, Jildessa, Guildessa, Gheldessa), a small but historic and strategic town near the present city of Harar. According to one source, Jaldessa had approximately 6,000 inhabitants at the time compared to 8,000 in the port city of Djibouti and 30,000 in Harar. Not only was Jaldessa a frontier town to Menilek's empire, but it was also located along an important caravan route connecting Ethiopia with the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea coast. As a result, all visitors were required to pass through an armed and customs post established there by the Ethiopian authority and administered by Mersha. As chief of customs, Jaldessa Mersha oversaw the import of all goods. Caravans were stopped and inspected. Import duty of 10 per cent was levied on merchandise generating important revenue for the empire. The economic value of Jaldessa grew considerably after the port of Djibouti became operational. However, it sharply declined following the founding of Dire Dawa, in 1902.

As governor, Mersha controlled and administered a vast area between Ethiopian borders with the French and British Somalilands and the Awash River. The territory was inhabited by Somalis, Oromos, Afars and other ethnic groups. He served under Ras Mekonnen Woldemichael (Makonnen Wolde Mikael), who was governor of Harar Province until his untimely death in 1906. The Armenian Sarkis Terzian (1868–1915) served as governor of Jaldessa before him. Terzian, a personality well-known to scholars of Ethiopian history, served Menilek in various capacities, including the import of arms and ammunition. Apparently, there was confusion at times about who owned what. On one occasion, Mersha confiscated arms claimed by Terzian, according to distinguished historian Richard Pankhurst.

Furthermore, Jaldessa was at the center of international negotiations between Menilek and the three colonial powers. Article 3 of the 1897 treaty signed between Britain and Ethiopia, for example, stated that the route between Zeyla (Zeila) and Harar via Gildessa should remain open for the commercial interests of the two countries. Mersha was regularly consulted on relevant matters. He was also directly responsible for implementation of agreements. For instance, in 1896, he hosted Cyrille Macaire (Kyrillos Makarios), a coptic Egyptian bishop who came as a special envoy of Pope Leo XIII to plead with Menilek to free the Italian prisoners from the battle of Adwa. When the prisoners were freed ultimately, they were brought to an area near Gildessa to meet with an Italian Red Cross team before being transported to Harar for safe return to Italy. Mersha visited Djibouti on several occasions, including at the request of Emperor Menilek. His knowledge of French was invaluable during his foreign trips.

Promoter of the progressive image of Ethiopia

Following the victory at Adwa (1896), there was a heightened global interest in strengthening diplomatic and trade relations with Ethiopia. A large number of foreign nationals, including diplomats, journalists, writers, scientists and explorers visited the empire. The visitors were intrigued by Menilek's wisdom and accomplishments. Realizing the significance of the moment for the future, the emperor was equally determined to build a progressive image of his nation. What better place to create a good first impression than the frontier town of Jaldessa? Lord Edward Gleichen, the British courtier, officer and author who visited Ethiopia in 1897 and who was a member of Sir Rennell Rodd's diplomatic mission wrote the following:

“Next day we made a long march of twenty-four miles over stony country to Garasle, a pretty little river, three inches deep, running between high banks, and a three hours' march on the following morning brought us to Gildessa. Here we were received in great state by the governor, one Aito Merzha (i.e., Ato Mersha), who, to impress on us that we were now on Abyssinian territory, had turned out a guard of about a dozen men, all armed with rifles and carrying the Abyssinian flag. The latter, I fear, did not impress us much, as it only consisted of triangular yellow, red, and green pennons nailed on a thin and crooked stick; but the guard of honour was very beautiful.”

Most visitors came to the country through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea and many camped at Jaldessa for at least a day before traveling further to Addis Abeba, Harar or other parts of the new empire. Thus, Mersha was tasked with providing logistical and other forms of assistance to the guests. He was uniquely positioned to meet and interact with a large number of Europeans and other foreign nationals. In an article published in Le Figaro (April 1901), the French journalist and author Hughes Le Roux noted the following after a long discussion with Mersha.

“Je ne sais si ce sage a lu Candide, mais depuis les années déjà longues que le Roi des rois lui a confié la clef de la première poterne de l'empire, il a vu défiler beaucoup d'hommes de toutes couleurs, de tous pays, de toutes langues.”

English translation: “I do not know if this wise man read Candide, but since for many years the King of Kings has given him the key to the first gate of the empire, he had seen people of all colors, all countries, and all languages.”

The following is a partial list of notables who have either interacted with or hosted by Mersha at Gildessa or Dire Dawa:

Despite robust diplomatic efforts by Menilek and his domestic as well as foreign advisors, there was a great deal of skepticism initially among many Europeans that Ethiopia was ready to embrace modernization. In an article titled The Menelik Myth, published in 1899, for example, vicomte Edmond de Poncins, the wealthy French naturalist and explorer, concluded:

“The history of Ethiopia, then, may be summed up thus: a country in which communications are difficult, peopled by a multiplicity of races; its internal life presents ever the same cycle of wars, victories, defeats, its external life the same blank. A real civilization is impossible in that black chaos, and the products of civilization, such as agriculture, invention, commerce, do not exist.”

In contrast, there were those who offered unwavering support for the expansion of trade and investment in Ethiopia. Menilek’s closest European advisors such as the Swiss engineer Alfred Ilg and the French trader Leon Chefneux (“chief commerce advisor”) were incontestably at the top of the list. Mersha worked closely with both of them. But there were others as well. Casimir Mondon-Vidailhet, the French journalist and contributor to the Le Temps, was another important figure who played a major role in advancing Ethio-French relations. Due to his passion for horticulture, Mondon-Vidailhet may have also played a role in popularizing the eucalyptus tree (የባሕር ዛፍ). He also studied local languages (e.g. Amharic, Guraghe, Harari, etc.) and wrote books about them. More relevantly, Mondon-Vidailhet helped advance the progressive image of Menilek and Ethiopia in Europe and the United States. He did this primarily through his speeches and writings. In an interview that he gave to The New York Times, in 1898, Mondon defended Ethiopia's records and potential:

“The country lends itself easily to civilization, and its organization, still encumbered by feudal relations, tends more and more to become modelled on the lines of European constitutional monarchies. Menelek, powerful and respected, an enlightened reformer and administrator, who abolished slavery in his dominions, and dislikes fanatics to whatever sect they belong, has revealed himself as a really great sovereign, worthy of admiration by his conduct, as well as by the dignity of his character.”

Mersha was a strong proponent of the opening of Ethiopia to the world. He encouraged 'modern' education such as the one offered by missionary schools. He supported trade ties with Europe, particularly France, Ethiopia's major strategic ally at the time. The French government awarded Mersha the El-Anouar Nishan in April 1905.

Chief of the first railway construction

The first and most significant example of European direct investment in Ethiopia was the construction of Ethiopia’s first railway. The agreement to create a company for the construction of the railroad was first signed in 1894 between Menilek and Alfred Ilg. The primary European stakeholder was obviously France although British investors also owned shares and bonds at least until 1902 which is when the line reached Addis-Harar, later renamed Dire Dawa.

Mersha was a key figure in the negotiations, construction and security of the railway during the initial phases of the project (1897–1911). When the Djibouti railroad reached the Ethiopian border town of Dewele (Dawale), in July 1900, he represented the emperor at the inaugural ceremony attended by a delegation of the French government led by Gabriel Louis Angoulvant, acting governor-general of the French Somaliland as well representatives of shareholders and other domestic and foreign diplomats, including Ato Yosef Zagalan, the Ethiopian consul in Djibouti and a dear friend of Mersha. According to one source, emperor Menilek himself was to be present, but he changed his mind later in protest of the growing interference by the French government in the affairs of the Compagnie Imperiale d'Ethiopie to which he granted concession. Things became worse and the construction was interrupted for several years following the completion of the Djibouti-Dire Dawa line. When the work resumed in 1909, Mersha was once again called to serve. The task given to him and other local officials was to oversee the extension of the meter-gauge line up to Awash. The railway reached Addis Abeba only in 1917. By then emperor Menilek had died and his daughter Zewditu was head of the empire.

English translation of Menilek's letter to Mersha:

“Dear Ato Mersha. How have you been? I, thank God, am well. Since the French railway companies informed me that they would resume construction, I would like you to manage the work in consultation with Negadras Yigezu. Written in the city of Debre Libanos on the 2nd day of Tahsas 1901.”

(*The above letter has been included in the recent book titled 'Emperor Menilek's Domestic Letters' as letter #1898 (Paulos Gnogno collections); Aster Nega Publishers; 2010 p. 517).

The historian Richard Pankhurst called the first railway “the country’s greatest technological achievement of the period.” It led to rapid expansion of domestic and foreign trade. By cutting the amount of travel time to the coast in half, for example, the railroad increased the import and export of commodities drastically. It accelerated the process of urbanization as it paved the way to the rise of new settlements and villages and transformation of towns such as Harar and Addis Abeba. The movement of people from south to north and vice versa grew considerably. In short, the railway made life better for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Ethiopians. More importantly, it connected the country to the sea. Robert P Skinner, the diplomat who led the first US mission, in 1903–04, noted the following about the importance of the railway to the economy

"The custom-house figures show a movement of importations and exportations in 1902 amounting $1,659,800, but, having in mind the methods of appraisement and the possibility of entering goods in contraband, it may be conservatively stated that the total trade under present conditions amounts to $3,000,000 per annum. Henceforth, this trade will grow rapidly, although the full power of the country will not be appreciated until the railroad is extended to the capital, 300 miles distant from its present terminus."

Spinner further observed:

"When the railroad connecting the Empire and the sea was projected, a route was naturally selected which should give the greatest advantages to commerce...A town was created at this point, to which was given the name Dire Douah, and it has already become an important business center..."

Pioneer and first governor of Dire Dawa

The conclusion of the Djibouti-Dire Dawa railway, in 1902, marked the birth of Dire Dawa, the second largest city in Ethiopia. Shortly after, Mersha was ordered to move the Jaldessa custom house and his residence to the new terminus making him the first governor of the railway city. Not only he was at the right place at the right time, but this was a natural extension of his administrative responsibilities. Getahun Mesfin Haile, an expert on the history of Dire Dawa wrote:

“Before the foundation of the town, the whole frontier region up to Dawale including the great environ of Dire Dawa used to be administered by a governor whose seat normally was at Jeldessa, a few km to the east of Dire Dawa. In 1902 the Governor was one Mersha Nahusenay, an educated and also French speaking personality, who took a considerable part in the foundation of the station and eventually of the town.”

He went on to say;

“The earliest town quarters of Käzira and Mägala, which sprang up following the establishment by the railway company of a station and its main workshop, soon evolved into the two most important nodes of economic, social and administrative activities of the new town. Käzira was built according to a regular plan and well provided with modern amenities. In the meantime, Ato Märsha Nahusänay, the first governor, and his followers, cleared and settled an area of land across from Käzira on the opposite side of the Dächatu that was largely covered with dense brush and cacti then. Growing out of this nucleus the larger quarter of Mägala took shape by degrees. In fact, the present quarter of Dächatu used to be known as Gändä-Märsha in the past in honor of its illustrious resident and founder.”

Thus, it didn't take long before residential communities appeared and roads, offices and workshops as well as other critical facilities were built under the leadership of Leon Chefneux and Mersha. In the first several years of its founding, residents of the new town and the Franco-Ethiopian railway company were able to lay the foundation for what later became a French-style, cosmopolitan city. Sadly, unlike other towns, foreigners and locals did not live in the same area. Kezira or Gezira became a European quarter while Megala was inhabited by natives.

Richard Pankhurst called Dire Dawa “Ethiopia’s first modern town.” Not only that it was built differently, but its administration was also unique. Historian Shiferaw Bekele noted:

“The officials shared certain important characteristics which sharply set them apart from the general run of Ethiopian officialdom at the time… Almost in every province, one would meet one or two men who belonged to this category. However, in no other much concentration as in Dire Dawa.”

Shiferaw, who is an expert on the early history of Dire Dawa, went on to say:

"The Dire Dawan officialdom invariably spoke at least one European language. Even the earliest, Mersha, spoke French. A good number of them were highly educated. Afework Gebre Yesus and Gebre Hiwot Baykedagn who were the directors of Customs had had long years of stay in Europe where they had attained a tertiary level education. Beshah Wured was educated in the United States. The rest had gone to Mission schools.”

Mersha served as governor from 1902 until 1906. He was in charge of administrative as well as judicial affairs. He even held courts "under a tree" in the early years of his tenure. He was succeeded by Ato Negatu Gugsa. The Dire Dawa municipality did not emerge until sometime between 1915 and 1920.

Chief of railway security

The agreements signed by the Ethiopian government and the railway company required Ethiopia to deploy a police force to safeguard the line and safety of employees. The mission was extremely dangerous due to local hostilities. Mersha became head of railway security full time in 1906. His strategy for success included working with local chiefs and leaders. In fact he also assumed the position of chief of the Issa territory which much of the opposition to the construction came from. Shiferaw Bekele wrote:

“As the governor of the province through with the line passed, he (i.e. Ato Mersha) was responsible for the peace and security of the line. He posted detachments of troops all along the line. He carried out negotiations with all the important chiefs of the Afar and Somali tribes in the region. He received orders from Ras Mekonnen and from Menilek.”

He was in charge of the recruitment, training of the security personnel; negotiated their wage with the company; and settled disputes. He had always been the middle man between the railway company and Ethiopians. That involved making sure that the company honored its contractual obligations as well. As early as September 1900, for example, Mr. J. Gerolimato, the British consul agent in Harar, sent the following message to his boss, James Hayes Sadler, the Consul-General of the British-Somaliland:

“Dear Sir: BEFORE yesterday, Atto Marcha, Governor of Jildessa, who was in Jibuti arrived here. There were in Daranli (i.e., Dawale) 200 Abyssinians to protect the line against the Essa (i.e., Issa), the Company paying 12 dollars per month for each Abyssinian soldier; now the Company paid them 8 dollars, instead of 12 dollars, and the Abyssinians have withdrawn these 200 men.”

His prior experience as chief of Harar police must have prepared him for the challenges of the position The railway police was in charge of stability and peace Dire Dawa and its surroundings as well. which he held until the mid-1920s with the exception of his brief dismissal by Lij Iyasu in 1916.

The origins of Modernization

The desire to introduce European style modernization was not unique to Emperor Menelik II. However, it was under him that the country took important practical steps. Transport and communication got a huge boost. The first telephone and telegraph were introduced following the first railway. Major roads were built and bicycles and automobiles appeared for the first time. The tax system was restructured. A modern monetary system was created. The first bank (Bank of Abyssinia) was established. A national currency was launched. The governance system underwent significant reorganization. The first cabinet of ministers was formed. Each of the six districts had two judges appointed by Menilek himself. The position of a supreme judge was created. The first public schools; the first newspaper, the first hotels, the first hospitals and post offices emerged. The list goes on. Although Mersha was principally involved in the construction of the railway and establishment of "modern" customs, he was also participated in other important reforms such as the founding of postal and telegraph services.

After Menilek died in 1913, following a long illness, he was replaced by his grandson Iyasu V. Mersha was about sixty years of age at the time. During his brief reign (1913–1916), Iyasu seems to have continued some of the reforms which he inherited. However, he also made a number of miscalculations resulting in his removal from power. In 1915, for example, Iyasu appointed Hasib Ydlibi (Idlibi), a Turk of Syrian origin with business experience, governor of Dire Dawa and Neggadras of Harar. The appointment was kept secret from Dejazmach Teferi (Tafari) Mekonnen, his cousin and governor of Harar Province. In July 1916, Iyasu took the unprecedented step of deposing Teferi from his governorship creating further tensions between them and leading to anger in a province traditionally ruled by that family, starting with the late Ras Mekonnen.

Iyasu also chose to pursue a foreign policy that alienated traditional European allies such as France. Instead took steps to strengthen relations with Germany and Turkey (then Ottoman Empire).

Shortly before his ouster, Iyasu removed Mersha from his post at the railway company and as chief of Issa territory. In his place he appointed Neggadras Abubakar Mahammad, another important historic figure in Ethiopian history. Ironically, just months before their dismissal, both Dejach Teferi and Mersha had accompanied Iyasu during his trip to the region along with a number of other notables, including Mikael Berru (a German educated, British agency interpreter and father of the Sorbonne graduate Lij Seifu Mikael) and Tesemma Eshete.

The above changes were quickly picked up by foreign media. The move was reported as a plan designed to favor Muslims over Christians, a sentiment shared by many in the country.

“Suddenly, at the end of last July, Yasu left Adis Abeba for Harrar and came on to Jibuti on August 8th, where he renewed his protestations of friendship to M. Simoni, Governor of French Somaliland .... He was found to have deposed Prince Taffari, son of Ras Makonnen, from the Governorship of Harrar and substituted a Muhammadan... Intrigue was rampant at Harrar under the Turk Ydlibi; and finally the chief of the Issas, Ato Marcha, was deposed in favour of a Muhammadan. These events caused a stir at Adis Abeba. The legations of the Entente Powers also sent in a protest. And on September 27th...Lij Yasu was formally deposed.”

Iyasu certainly sought to nurture close relations with the Muslim community and even married Fatima, the daughter of Abubakar, raising questions about his intentions and vision. Abubakar came from a family of rich Muslim Afar traders who made enormous contributions to Menilek commercially, administratively and diplomatically. His father, Mahammad (also Negaddras) was the governor of the historic town of Aliyu Amba (Shoa Province) while he himself served as the governor of Shenno, another commercial center. His grandfather, Abubakar Ibrahim Chehem, was a notable statesman and the Sultan or Pasha of Somalia’s port city of Zeila (Zeyla) before it became part of the British Somaliland. However some scholars argue today that this was all part of his efforts to consolidate his power by integrating into the empire marginal territories such as the Afar state.

“From the end of the XIXth century, the members of this family lost their role as obligatory intermediaries in favour of European traders supported by their respective states. However, one of them, Naggadras Mahammad Abubakar, continued to enjoy the trust of Menelik, who was unwilling to rely solely on the Europeans.”

Furthermore, although Mersha was Christian, he did not adhere to the historically dominant Orthodox faith. Instead he was converted to Catholicism and was subjected to persecution like many of his fellow worshippers.

Iyasu's removal of Mersha was of great concern to the railway company in part because of his long service and reputation as effective. Emperor Menilek wrote to him once praising his extraordinary work of ensuring the country's compliance with signed treaties. The following comment made by Mr. de Mazérieux, the company's administrator, captures that sentiment:

“Avec Ato Marcha, qui était au courant des usages et des méthodes de la Cie, et qui lui était surtout absolumment dévoué, les difficultés etaient rapidement aplanies. Abou-Baker est trop connu en Abyssinie et à la Cie, pour qu’on puisse espérer, qu’il en sera de même avec lui.”

English translation: “With Ato Marcha, who was very knowledgeable of the practices and methods of CIE (i.e., Compagnie Imperiale d’Ethiopie), and who was absolutely devoted, difficulties were quickly resolved. Abu-Baker is very well known in Abyssinia and Cie, so we hope that things will be the same with him.”

Mersha was restored to his position under Empress Zewditu, Menilek's daughter, who ruled Ethiopia from 1916 until 1930. Teferi Mekonnen was regent to the throne during this period and went on to rule Ethiopia as Emperor Haile Selassie I(1930–1974), after Zewditu's death.

A prominent Catholic

Mersha was a well-known Catholic who played an important role in the spread of the faith in the Harar province and beyond. His wife Tedeneqyalesh was the daughter of Ato Mekbeb (also Mekev, Makeb and Makbeb), a trusted Menilek servant converted to Catholicism in the late 1860s by the Italian missionary Cardinal Guglielmo Massaja or Abba Messias as he was known in Ethiopia. Martial De Salviac, the French missionary who lived in Ethiopia at the end of the 19th century, wrote the following:

"The one which Menelik called 'a man of my confidence', that was Ato Makeb, officer of the royal house. He soon earned the confidence of missionaries by becoming an edified Catholic. Later he gave his daughter in marriage to one of the better students of the mission, Ato Marsha, who was a police chief in Harar, and actually directed the customs at Jaldessa. The piety toward God and the title of royal privilege seem to be perpetuated in this relationship."

His parents did not approve Mersha's conversion to Catholicism, according to oral history. However, that did not deter him from becoming an influential member of the Catholic community and developing strong relations with missionaries. His children were educated in mission schools. Benito Sylvain, the Haitian lawyer, author and anti-slavery activist who visited Ethiopia a few times during the late 19th and early 20th century wrote:

“En l'absence de Ras Makonnen, retenu par l'Empereur à Addis-Abeba, pour la conclusion du traité de paix avec l'Italie, était le Ghérazmatch Banti qui remplissait les délicates fonctions de gouverneur. Il manifesté de cordiale faҫon sa joie de me voir et après avoir vidé le tedj ou hydromel de l'amitié, il me fit donner l'hospitalité chez Ato Marcha, chef des douanes de Guieldessa, dont tous les enfants sont élevés à la Mission catholique française que dirige actuellement le sympathique Mgr André, récemment promu Evèque.”

English translation: “In the absence of Ras Mekonnen, kept by the Emperor in Addis Ababa, for the conclusion of the peace treaty with Italy was the Gerazmatch Banti who filled the delicate functions of governor. He expressed in a cordial way his joy to see me, and after emptying the tedj or mead of friendship, he offered me hospitality at the residence of Ato Marcha, Chief of Customs of Gildessa, with all the children raised in the French Catholic Mission currently headed by the friendly Mgr André who was recently promoted Bishop.”

Mission schools such as those founded by the French missionary Andre Jarosseau (Abba Endryas) trained a generation of young Ethiopians. Recent biographies (e.g. Ras Emru Haile Selassie) shed light on the importance of these schools. Mersha strongly encouraged the introduction of modern (non-secular) education in addition to religious training. In his autobiography, Captain Alemayehu Abebe, one of the pioneers of Ethiopian aviation and arguably the first black African pilot of a commercial jet airliner, wrote:

“አቶ መርሻ ከነቤተሰቦቻቸው በሐረር ከተማ የታወቁና የተከበሩ የካቶሊክ ሃይማኖት ተከታይ ስለነበሩ ምንሴኘር አንድሬ ዣሩሶ በሚያስተዳድሩት የካቶሊክ ሚሲዮን ገብቼ በአዳሪነት እንድማር ተደረገ።”

English translation: “Since Ato Mersha, along with his family, was a well-known and respected follower of the Catholic faith in the city Harar, I was allowed to attend the mission school headed by Mgr Andre Jarousseau.”

Another important biography by Mickael Bethe-Selassié describes in detail the historic contributions of Catholic Ethiopians during the first half of the 20th century. Many, including Mersha Nahusenay and the author’s uncle Berhane-Marqos Welde-Tsadiq, played a role in the modernization efforts of Emperors Menilek and Haile Selassié. The biographer argues that these Catholics form a distinct sub-group within the larger community of educated men also known as La Jeune Ethiopie. However, the historic ties between Catholic and Orthodox Christian intellectuals have also been stressed by Mickael as well other scholars.

“The Ethiopian Roman Catholic community, the first of whose members were converted in the late 19th century by Italian or French missionaries, such as Guglielmo Massaia and André Jarosseau, included Zäwgä Haylu, who attended the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900, and Märsha Nahu Sänay, who represented Menilek at the ceremony marking the completion of the Jibuti railway as far as the Ethiopian frontier in 1902. The community thus came into existence at the very same time as the emergence of the Young Ethiopians as a whole. The Catholic community was moreover influenced by the same factors - missionary education, travel to France or Italy, employment by foreigners, service on the railway, etc. -which gave birth, as we have seen, more generally to Young Ethiopianism.”

Death and legacy

Mersha retired in the mid-1920s, but he maintained contact with friends such as the missionary A. Jarousseau, according to historian Bahru Zewde. His retirement comes after a long public service during which he made important contributions in four key areas: border and railway security, public administration, economic development and diplomacy. He soon fell ill and was confined to bed for almost a decade. Mersha died at the age of 85, during the Italian occupation, and was laid to rest in the city of Harar.

Mersha nurtured a large family. He and his wife Tedeneqyalesh were blessed with eleven children: Beyene, Negest, Zewditu, Alemu, Worqe, Desta, Yosef, Marqos, Negatu, Zegeye, and Medemdemya. He encouraged his children to attend school and to learn foreign languages. Beyene Mersha, his eldest child, studied French. Even his daughter (probably Zewditu) knew French and read a welcome speech to Colonel Jean-Baptiste Marchand (1863–1934), the French officer and explorer who traveled through Harar in 1899, according to the missionary Martial de Salviac. Mersha took his children to important public events. Martial describes how Mersha, a proud father, attended the opening ceremony of the Dawale railway station in 1900 surrounded by "a beautiful crowd of eight children."

The young Beyene Mersha traveled to France and Italy with Andre Jarosseau. In 1903, on behalf of his father, he met in Dire Dawa with R.P. Skinner, the American diplomat sent by Theodore Roosevelt to sign a trade treaty with Menilek. Mersha himself was present, however, when the first ever US diplomatic mission was ready to return home. He was the one who conveyed the farewell message from the Emperor delivered over the phone. Beyene was active in many areas of public service. He was later appointed by Menilek as head of the postal and telephone office established in the frontier town of Dawale. He went on to become balambaras and even took part in the campaign to remove Iyassu under the leadership of Fitawrari Tekle Hawaryat. In 1931, during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, he was appointed director of the first Ethiopian School for Girls founded in Addis Abeba by Empress Menen.

Ato Denqu, husband of Negest Mersha, was appointed in 1907 as the first head of the Dire Dawa Post Office. He traveled to Europe (e.g. Switzerland and Italy) to attend meetings of the International Postal Union after Ethiopia became a member in 1908. Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren live and work in Ethiopia and around the world. The most notable descendant today, Ato Abinet Gebremeskel, is a successful businessman and philanthropist in Ethiopia. The author of this short biography (click here for Amharic version of the Bio), is the grandson of Zegeye Mersha and great-grandson of Mersha.

Mersha's legacy includes a street named after him in Kezira (Gezira), Dire Dawa since the time of Emperor Haile Selassie. He was remembered and honored when the railway city celebrated its 105th anniversary in December 2007.

However, Mersha is still very much a forgotten hero. His biography remains unwritten and his distinguished service is poorly known by many scholars and students of Ethiopian history. In his book titled Pioneers of Change in Ethiopia: The reformist Intellectuals of the early twentieth century, Professor Bahru Zewde describes the contributions of many historic personalities of that dynamic era. The book does not mention Mersha as a pioneer. However, some of the reformist intellectuals discussed had either administered the offices he helped establish or occupied the positions he held before. Neggadras Gebrehiwot Baykedagn (c.1885-1918), arguably the foremost intellectual of the time, for example, was director of the Dire Dawa customs administration. Fitawrari Tekle Hawariat Tekle-Mariam (1884–1977), who later became governor of Jigjiga; credited for founding Asebe Teferi; and is best known for playing a prominent role in the drafting of the 1931 constitution, was chief of the railway station briefly during Lij Iyasu. He was also among the first Ethiopians to travel abroad for education. As a matter of fact, shortly before the young Tekle Hawaryat departed for Russia, in 1896, Mersha gave him his blessings. We find the following interesting account in his autobiography,:

"ጄልዴሳ ላይ ስንደርስ አቶ መርሻ ናሁ ሰናይ ከቤታቸው ወስደው ጋበዙኝ። ያስቀሩኛል ብዬ ፈርቼ በቶሎ ወጣሁና ወደ ሰፈሬ ሮጥኩ። ፀሀይ እንዳይጎዳኝ አስበው አቶ መርሻ ጥላ ገዝተው ሰጡኝ። (ከወንድሜ ከሟቹ ገብረ ጻድቅ ጋር በጣም ይፋቀሩ ነበር።)" (p. 78)

English translation: When we arrived at Jaldessa, Ato Mersha invited me for lunch at his residence. Because I was afraid that he might not let me travel overseas, I ran away as soon as I finished. Ato Mersha, however, bought me an umbrella so I could protect myself from the scorching sun. (He and my deceased brother Gebre Tsadiq were dear friends)."

The last few decades of the 19th century marked the beginning of modernization in Ethiopian history in the sense that they opened the door to new and better conditions of life and work. Significant improvements took place during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie in areas such as manufacturing, transportation (e.g. aviation) and education. Trade and foreign direct investment continued to play a key role as well. Although the country experienced an economic decline in the two decades that followed the 1974 popular revolution, due to severe droughts and civil war, it underwent a radical transformation resulting in the collapse of the feudal (ባላባት) system paving the way for greater participation of people in political and economic activities. The current (post-1990s) period of unprecedented economic growth, characterized by a strong public sector, expanding private sector and major development of critical infrastructure (e.g. roads, new Djibouti-Addis railway, etc.), if maintained, could lead to even greater prosperity and stability. When all is said and done, however, there is no question that much of the progress made over the last century is deeply rooted in the historic events and reforms of the late 19th - early 20th century.