Yekatit 12

Yekatit 12 is a significant date in Ethiopian history, marking the attempted assassination of Vittorio Emanuele III and the subsequent execution of Ethiopian patriots by the Italian occupying forces in Addis Ababa. This event is closely tied to the Italo-Ethiopian War and the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, involving key figures such as Haile Selassie, Benito Mussolini, and Rodolfo Graziani. The Yekatit 12 incident is remembered alongside other significant events in Ethiopian history, including the Battle of Adwa and the Treaty of Wuchale.

● Introduction

Yekatit 12 is observed on February 19, coinciding with the Ethiopian calendar date that corresponds to this event. The incident involved Abraha Deboch and Moges Asgedom, who attempted to assassinate Vittorio Emanuele III during his visit to Addis Ababa. This event is closely linked to the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, which was marked by resistance from Ethiopian patriots, including Ras Desta Damtew, Belay Zeleke, and Shambel Abebe. The Yekatit 12 incident is also associated with the Patriotic Resistance, which involved figures such as Geresu Dukke, Fiqre Selassie, and Abebe Aregai.

● Background

The background to Yekatit 12 is rooted in the Italo-Ethiopian War and the subsequent Italian occupation of Ethiopia. Key figures involved in this period include Haile Selassie, who was exiled to Bath, Somerset, and Benito Mussolini, who ordered the invasion of Ethiopia. The Italian forces, led by Rodolfo Graziani and Pietro Badoglio, implemented harsh measures to suppress the Ethiopian resistance, including the use of chemical warfare and the establishment of concentration camps in Danane and Nocra. The Yekatit 12 incident is also connected to the League of Nations, which failed to prevent the Italian invasion, and the Stresa Front, which was formed in response to Italian aggression.

● The

Yekatit 12 Plot The Yekatit 12 plot involved Abraha Deboch and Moges Asgedom, who attempted to assassinate Vittorio Emanuele III during his visit to Addis Ababa. The plot was discovered, and the two men were arrested and executed, along with other Ethiopian patriots, including Tekle Hawariat, Kifle Nesibu, and Bayleyagn Mammo. The incident was used as a pretext by the Italian authorities to launch a wave of repression against the Ethiopian population, including the Massacre of Addis Ababa, which was carried out by Blackshirts and Carabinieri. The Yekatit 12 incident is also linked to the Derg, which later overthrew Haile Selassie and established a Marxist-Leninist regime in Ethiopia.

● Aftermath

The aftermath of Yekatit 12 saw a significant increase in repression and violence against the Ethiopian population, including the use of forced labor and the establishment of concentration camps. The Italian authorities also implemented a policy of Italianization, which aimed to suppress Ethiopian culture and impose Italian language and Italian customs on the population. The Yekatit 12 incident is also connected to the Spanish Civil War, which was fought between the Nationalist forces and the Republican forces, and the Second Sino-Japanese War, which was fought between China and Japan. Key figures involved in the aftermath of Yekatit 12 include Giovanni Giolitti, Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi, and Alessandro Lessona.

● Legacy

The legacy of Yekatit 12 is complex and multifaceted, involving the Ethiopian resistance, the Italian occupation, and the subsequent Cold War. The incident is remembered as a symbol of Ethiopian patriotism and resistance against foreign occupation, alongside other significant events in Ethiopian history, including the Battle of Adwa and the Treaty of Wuchale. The Yekatit 12 incident is also linked to the United Nations, which was established after World War II to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars. Key figures involved in the legacy of Yekatit 12 include Ras Imru Haile Selassie, Asfaw Wossen, and Makonnen Endelkachew.

● Commemoration

Yekatit 12 is commemorated annually on February 19, with ceremonies and events held in Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia. The incident is remembered alongside other significant events in Ethiopian history, including the Battle of Adwa and the Treaty of Wuchale. The Yekatit 12 incident is also connected to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which played a significant role in the Ethiopian resistance, and the Ethiopian Catholic Church, which was established by Italian missionaries. Key figures involved in the commemoration of Yekatit 12 include Abune Paulos, Abune Mathias, and Tedros Adhanom.

Category:Ethiopian history