Dejazmatch Germachew Tekle Hawariat

In this quarter’s edition, we are honored to share the story of Dejazmatch Germachew Tekle Hawariat, whose life’s journey reflects resilience, service, and enduring purpose.

At just 19, shortly after returning to Ethiopia from his studies in France, his life was altered by war. Captured alongside more than 300 Ethiopians, he was sent into exile, first to Asinara, and later to Longobucco.

From these beginnings emerged a life of meaningful contribution. Germachew became a respected author and playwright and later served Ethiopia during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I as a minister and as a diplomat, including as ambassador to Rome.

Years later, he returned to Longobucco - no longer a prisoner, but now as ambassador, accompanied by his family - marking a powerful and deeply personal full-circle moment.

His is one of the very few stories that has been preserved and will be publicly available in his forthcoming memoir, soon to be published by the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. The following excerpt describes his journey from Asinara to what was his final detention destination, Longobucco.

Woizero Senedu Gebru

A woman of incredible perseverance, Senedu Gebru lived into her nineties before she passed away in 2009. She was a member of the Tikur Anbessa resistance movement before she was captured and removed from her country as a prisoner to Asinara. She was a source of support for other prisoners while there and later became an educator, an author, an advocate for women, and a politician among many other things.

Tikur Anbessa

This short essay is about the Tikur Anbessa who were one of the first organized anti-fascist resistance group of the 20th century.

They were formed in Ethiopia during the Italian occupation, and symbolized courage, discipline, and national pride. Though small in number and short-lived, their fight against colonial aspirations and oppression left a lasting legacy in Ethiopia and inspired future resistance movements worldwide. This is the remarkable story of their heroic accomplishments.