52 Facts About Mersha Nahusenay

Mersha Nahusenay's most enduring legacy is perhaps the supervision of the day to day activities of the construction, maintenance and security of the first railroad which he oversaw at the request of Menilek.

Mersha Nahusenay's parents were strict followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox faith and religion played a central role in their life.

Mersha Nahusenay's childhood was hence heavily influenced by events involving the Church where he was baptized.

Mersha Nahusenay 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.

Mersha Nahusenay grew up in one of the most consequential periods in the nation's history.

Mersha Nahusenay's efforts were cut short however by internal resistance and external challenges as well as his untimely death.

Mersha Nahusenay succeeded in bringing together, under a central authority, northern and southern territories.

Mersha Nahusenay answered repeated calls for public service and rose to the occasion by taking on challenging tasks.

Whether Mersha Nahusenay held any official imperial government positions before Menelik II became Emperor of Ethiopia in 1889 remains unknown.

Mersha Nahusenay served under Ras Mekonnen Woldemichael, who was governor of Harar Province until his untimely death in 1906.

On one occasion, Mersha Nahusenay confiscated arms claimed by Terzian, according to distinguished historian Richard Pankhurst.

Mersha Nahusenay received us in his official residence, a small circular hut with the usual pointed roof, built on a conical hill.

Mersha Nahusenay's furniture consisted of a table, chair, two beds, a photograph of an Abyssinian priest, and a coloured Crucification, while his rifle, shield, and revolver were hung on the walls.

Mersha Nahusenay visited Djibouti on several occasions, including at the request of Emperor Menelik.

Mersha Nahusenay was uniquely positioned to meet and interact with a large number of Europeans and other foreign nationals.

Mersha Nahusenay did this primarily through his speeches and writings.

Mersha Nahusenay was a strong proponent of opening Ethiopia to the world.

Mersha Nahusenay encouraged 'modern' education and supported missionary schools in Harar.

Mersha Nahusenay encouraged trade ties with Europe, particularly France, Ethiopia's major strategic ally at the time.

Mersha Nahusenay was a key figure in the negotiations, construction and security of the railway during the initial phases of the project.

Shortly after, Mersha Nahusenay was ordered to move the Jaldessa custom house and his residence to the new terminus making him the first governor of the railway city.

In 1902 the Governor was one Mersha Nahusenay, an educated and French speaking personality, who took a considerable part in the foundation of the station and eventually of the town.

Mersha Nahusenay was in charge of administrative as well as judicial affairs.

Mersha Nahusenay even held courts "under a tree" in the early years of his tenure.

Mersha Nahusenay posted detachments of troops all along the line.

Mersha Nahusenay carried out negotiations with all the important chiefs of the Afar and Somali tribes in the region.

Mersha Nahusenay received orders from Ras Mekonnen and from Menelik.

Mersha Nahusenay was in charge of the recruitment, training of the security personnel; negotiated their wage with the company; and settled disputes.

Mersha Nahusenay had always been the middle man between the railway company and Ethiopians.

Ironically, just months before their dismissal, both Dejach Teferi and Mersha Nahusenay had accompanied Iyasu during his trip to the region along with a number of other notables, including Mikael Berru and Tesemma Eshete.

Mersha Nahusenay was found to have deposed Prince Taffari, son of Ras Makonnen, from the Governorship of Harrar and substituted a Muhammadan.

Mersha Nahusenay's grandfather, Abubakar Ibrahim Chehem, was a notable statesman and Sultan or Pasha of Somalia's port city of Zeila before it became part of the British Somaliland.

Furthermore, although Mersha Nahusenay was Christian, he did not adhere to the historically dominant Orthodox faith.

Mersha Nahusenay's absence was a source of great concern to the railway company in part due to his long and dedicated service and reputation.

Mersha Nahusenay was restored to his position under Empress Zewditu, Menelik's daughter, who ruled Ethiopia from 1916 until 1930.

Mersha Nahusenay played an important role in the spread of the faith in Harar region and beyond.

Mersha Nahusenay soon earned the confidence of missionaries by becoming an edified Catholic.

Since Ato Mersha Nahusenay, 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.

Mersha Nahusenay's retirement comes after a long public service with important contributions in four key areas: border and railway security, public administration, economic development and diplomacy.

Mersha Nahusenay soon fell ill and was confined to bed for almost a decade.

Mersha Nahusenay died in the early years of Italian occupation and was laid to rest in the city of Harar.

Mersha Nahusenay encouraged his children to attend school and appreciate foreign languages.

Mersha Nahusenay read a welcome speech to Colonel Jean-Baptiste Marchand, the French officer and explorer who traveled through Harar in 1899, according to the missionary Martial de Salviac.

Mersha Nahusenay himself was present when the first-ever US diplomatic mission completed its visit and was preparing to leave Dire Dawa for Djibouti.

Beyene Mersha Nahusenay was later appointed by the emperor as head of the postal and telephone service opened in the frontier town of Dawale.

Ato Denqu, husband of Negest Mersha Nahusenay, was appointed in 1907 as the chief of Dire Dawa's Post Office.

Mersha Nahusenay's legacy includes a street named after him in Kezira, a subsection of Dire Dawa during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Mersha Nahusenay was remembered and honored when the railway city celebrated its 105th anniversary in December 2007.

Mersha Nahusenay's biography remains unwritten and his distinguished service is poorly known by many scholars and students of Ethiopian history.

Mersha Nahusenay was among the first Ethiopians to travel abroad for education.

When we arrived at Jaldessa, Ato Mersha Nahusenay invited me for lunch at his residence.

Ato Mersha Nahusenay bought me an umbrella so I could protect myself from the scorching sun.