Imru Haile Selassie

Leul Ras Haile Selassiu Imru ( born November 23, 1892 in Gursum; † August 15, 1980 in Addis Ababa ) was an Ethiopian nobleman and diplomat.

Biography

Ras Imru, also transcribed as Imeru, was the son of Mary Woizero Ehete, the niece of Ras Makonnen. Tafari Makonnen Imru and (later Haile Selassie ) were childhood friends and were educated together and formed at the age of seven years in Ge'ez and Amharic.

Imru came from the Ethiopian dynasty and received in 1909 the title of a military commander of the left wing of the imperial troops ( Gerazmach ) and then in 1911 Kniazmach. In 1917 he was commander of the troops at the door of the imperial tent ( Dejazmach ) and received in 1932 with the title Ras the highest title of a military leader that only the emperor could give.

After the escape of Emperor Haile Selassie after the Italian victory in the Italo-Ethiopian War on May 2, 1936, he was as regent ruler of Ethiopia. Only a week later, however, he was captured by the Italian occupation force on 9 May 1936 and spent the years 1936-1943 in prison in Italy.

After his return to Ethiopia, he was again brought in as Ras to the Imperial court and then was 1949-1953 Ambassador to the United States. In 1954 he was awarded the title Leul Ras and thus acquired the right to the salutation sovereignty. Following was 1954-1959 Ambassador to India.

His son Mikael Imru was also a diplomat, Minister as well as Prime Minister August to September 1974.