AGAEZI NATIONAL UNION (ANU)

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

ANU Condemns the Politicization of Ethiopian Historical Memory and Defends the Legacy of Emperor Yohannes IV

Addis Ababa / Mekelle/Geneva — July 2026

The Agaezi National Union (ANU) expresses its profound concern regarding the public remarks delivered by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on 13 July 2026 in Debre Markos, Amhara Region, concerning the historical legacy of His Majesty Emperor Yohannes IV, King of Kings of Ethiopia, Defender of Ethiopian sovereignty, and a historic figure deeply connected with Aksumite heritage, Geʽez civilization, Habesha Agaezi and the broader Ethiopian state tradition with its Red Sea.

ANU believes that Civilizational State Ethiopia’s historical leaders must be discussed with responsibility, scholarly seriousness, and respect for the complexity of their era. Political disagreements of today must not be used as a justification to diminish, distort, or unfairly characterize the contributions of leaders who shaped Ethiopia’s independence and survival during one of the most challenging periods in the country’s history, mainly during the scramble for Africa (1884/1885).

Defense of Emperor Yohannes IV’s Historical Legacy

Emperor Yohannes IV remains one of Ethiopia’s significant historical figures, remembered by many Ethiopians for:

• defending Ethiopia against foreign aggression and colonial expansion;
• protecting Ethiopian sovereignty during a period of intense external threats;
• contributing to the preservation of Ethiopia’s independence in the nineteenth century;
• maintaining the connection between Ethiopia’s ancient Aksumite heritage and its modern statehood.

ANU rejects political narratives that, in its view, compare Emperor Yohannes IV with foreign colonial forces like the brutal and barbaric Italian regime that attempted to conquer Ethiopia. Such comparisons risk creating historical confusion and undermining the sacrifices made by Ethiopian leaders and communities who defended the country’s sovereignty.

History Must Not Become a Political Weapon

ANU recognizes that Ethiopia’s history contains complex events, including internal conflicts, military campaigns, political struggles, and difficult experiences among different communities. These issues must be studied through evidence, historical research, and open scholarly dialogue.

However, ANU strongly opposes the use of selective historical interpretations to attack Ethiopia’s national heritage or to create divisions among communities whose ancestors contributed to the survival and development of Ethiopian civilization.

The legacy of Emperor Yohannes IV must be examined within the full context of nineteenth-century Ethiopia, including:

• the struggle against colonial expansion;
• efforts toward state consolidation;
• religious and political challenges;
• regional conflicts and alliances;
• the wider realities of African state formation during that period.

 

Questions Regarding Political Silence and Historical Responsibility

ANU calls upon Ethiopian political organizations, intellectuals, and public figures to clarify their positions regarding the protection of Ethiopia’s historical heritage.

The Ethiopian people deserve answers to important questions:

• Why have some Tigrayan political leaders, intellectuals, and organizations remained silent regarding statements that ANU believes undermine the legacy of Emperor Yohannes IV?
• Why have historical figures connected to Aksumite and Ethiopian state traditions become subjects of political controversy rather than national reflection?
• Are political alliances and short-term interests preventing leaders from defending historical dignity and balanced scholarship?

ANU particularly questions why individuals and political groups claiming to represent Tigrayan interests have not openly addressed what ANU considers an attack on one of Tigray’s most prominent historical figures.

ANU asks: Is Tigrayan nationalism defined by protecting the legacy of Emperor Yohannes IV, or by allowing his name and historical contribution to be diminished for political purposes?

 

Concerns Regarding Historical Narratives and Political Alliances

ANU is concerned about what it views as the increasing use of historical narratives to deepen divisions between Ethiopian communities.

The organization rejects allegations and narratives that portray entire communities through the actions of specific political groups. At the same time, ANU calls for accountability and historical honesty regarding all political movements and historical events.

ANU questions whether political statements regarding Gojjam, Tigray, and historical conflicts are being used to:

1. Create distrust between communities that share centuries of cultural, historical, and social connections.
2. Encourage political realignment by using historical grievances as tools of mobilization.
3. Weaken broader Ethiopian civilizational connections, including the shared heritage of the Habesha and Agäzi traditions.
4. Influence relationships among communities in ways that serve current political interests rather than national reconciliation.

Protection of Ethiopia’s Civilizational Heritage

ANU believes that Ethiopia’s future requires recognition of the country’s complete historical experience, including:

• Aksumite civilization;
• Geʽez language and written heritage;
• the contributions of Tigray, Amhara, Gurage, Eritrea, and all Ethiopian peoples;
• the sacrifices made to defend Ethiopian independence.

Ethiopian history belongs to all Ethiopians. No political organization should have the authority to erase, rewrite, or weaponize historical memory.

Call for Responsible Leadership

ANU calls upon all Ethiopian leaders and political organizations to:

1. Respect Ethiopia’s ancient civilizations and historical institutions.
2. Avoid statements that create unnecessary hostility among Ethiopian communities.
3. Promote historical discussions based on evidence and scholarship.
4. Recognize the contributions of all Ethiopian peoples.
5. Protect Ethiopia’s historical sites, archives, languages, and cultural heritage.

National reconciliation cannot be achieved through selective history or political manipulation. It can only be achieved through truth, mutual respect, and recognition of Ethiopia’s full historical experience.

 

Issued by:
Agaezi National Union (ANU)
Diplomacy & Public Relations Office

End of Release