Ibrahim Sultan Ali (March 1909 – September 1, 1987), the champion of serf emancipation in the lowlands, founder of the Moslem League, the brain behind the Independence Bloc and the Eritrean Democratic Front, is a towering figure concerning Eritrean nationalism. In 1956 he was put more or less under house arrest for 3 years by the Chief Executive, Asfaha Woldemichael. In March 1959, he escaped to Sudan with Idris Mohamed Adem.
The escape of Ibrahim Sultan was not taken lightly by the Crown. Col. Aseghagn Araya, the top Ethiopian intelligence officer in Eritrea, then, was called to Addis Ababa to explain the matter. In addition the Chief Executive and his top advisors went to Addis Ababa for 3 weeks right after Ibrahim Sultan’s defection. From Addis Ababa, Brig. General Aman Andom, Maj. Gen.Kebede Gebre, and Brig. Gen. Merid Mengesha went to Eritrea to review Ethiopian troops in Eritrea “including those stationed near the Sudanese”. He also opposed the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and was jailed for that by the Italians.
Source: Peasants and Nationalism in Eritrea, citing also dispatches from the US Consulate to the Department of the State, March 16, April 17, 1959
The following article sheds light on the life and times of Ibrahim Sultan
The following article sheds light on the life and times of Ibrahim Sultan
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