Global InformationAlimirah Hanfare information
| Alimirah Hanfere | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sultan of Aussa | |
| Reign | 1944–24 April 2011 |
| Coronation | 1945 |
| Predecessor | Mohammad Yayyo |
| Successor | Hanfare Alimirah[1] |
| Born | c. 1919 Fursi, Ethiopia |
| Died | 25 April 2011 (aged 91–92) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Burial | 28 April 2011 Asaita, Ethiopia |
| Issue | Hanfare Alimirah |
| Dynasty | Mudaito Dynasty |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Bitwoded Sultan Alimirah Hanfare (Afar: Amyota Qali Mirac Canfaxe; c. 1919 - 25 April 2011) was Sultan of Aussa from 1944 until his death in 2011.[2] He ascended to the throne after his predecessor and uncle, Mohammad Yayyo.
Loyal to his suzerain, Emperor Haile Selassie I, Alimirah possessed only moderate governing authority as Sultan, but was highly influential as a landowner and as the senior spiritual and cultural leader of the Afar people. Under his rule, significant progress was made towards modernising agriculture amongst the pastoral Afar; attracting foreign investment, organising access to credit, and promoting infrastructural development.[2][3]
After the overthrow of the Ethiopian monarchy by the Derg, Sultan Alimirah was targeted by the new socialist regime for his influence, status as a landowner, and support for the deposed emperor. In 1975 the Sultan was forced to flee the country when the Derg attempted to capture him in a bloody raid on Asaita, and proceeded to establish the Afar Liberation Front to resist the government and defend the Afar's rights to their land.[3][4]
Upon the Derg's overthrow in 1991 the Sultan returned to Ethiopia, where he initially supported the efforts of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front led by Meles Zenawi. Relations quickly soured, however, over the issue of Afars in Eritrea, whom the Sultan wanted to remain part of an autonomous Afar region within Ethiopia.[5] This, amongst other disputes, led to the Sultan's marginalisation from the politics of the new Afar Region.[4]
Sultan Alimirah died on 24 April 2011 and was succeeded by his son Hanfare Alimirah.[6] Alimirah was not only considered a leader of the Afar people, but was admired by many Ethiopians for his patriotism, resistance to the Derg, and support for Ethiopian unity.[7]
- ^ "AFAR News Toronto v.01 (July 2011)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ^ a b "Sultan Ali Mirah Hanfere passed away". Ethiopian Review. 2011-04-25. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
- ^ a b Central Committee of the Afar Liberation Front. "Point Paper of the Afar Liberation Front". Afar Liberation Front. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ a b Aynie, Aref (29 October 2011). "Sultan to be crowned in Afar". Addis Journal. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ Press, Robert (8 August 1991). "In Ethiopia, a King Ends His Exile". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "Life Story of Sultan Hanfare Alimirah".
- ^ Mohamed, Kadafo (11 May 2011). "In memory of Ethiopian patriot, Sultan Alimirah". Ethiopian Review. Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.