Battle of Chelenqo

Battle of Chelenqo
Part of Menelik's Expansions

Harar as depicted in Sir Richard Francis Burton's book 'First Footsteps in East Africa: Or, An Exploration of Harar'; published 1856.
Date9 January 1887
Location
Chelenqo, Emirate of Harar
Result

Decisive Shewan victory

  • Capture of the city of Harar
Belligerents
Ethiopian Empire Shewa Emirate of Harar
Commanders and leaders
Negus Menelik
Ras Makonnen		 'Abd Allah II ibn 'Ali 'Abd ash-Shakur
Strength
20,000-25,000 Shewan troops 3,000[1]-4,000 Harari troops
Casualties and losses
Minimal, around 100 dead, 600-700 wounded Substantial, est. 1,000 dead

The Battle of Chelenqo[2] was an engagement fought on 9 January 1887 between the Abyssinian army of Shewa under Negus Menelik and Emir 'Abd Allah II ibn 'Ali 'Abd ash-Shakur of Harar. The Harari forces were routed, and Negus Menelik afterwards occupied and annexed the city of Harar.

  1. ^ Gibbs, Camila. Past And Present In Harar (PDF). Ethiopia In Broader Perspective: Papers of the XIII International Conference of Ethiopian Studies. p. 4.
  2. ^ also spelled Chalanko, Chalenko, Calanqo, Calanko, Chelenko, etc.