The First Plot to Assassinate Graziani at Jigjiga and Its Consequences

Abstract

This article examines the history of the first plot that the East Härärghe Christians designed to kill Marshall Graziani and its grave consequences. It establishes that during the second Italian invasion, 1936-41, the East Härärghe Christians and churches suffered unprecedented adversity. Particularly, the Christian resistance against the Italian invasion, the attempt of the local priests to kill Graziani, and the local patriots' spontaneous assaults instigated the Fascists to take measures against the Christians and their churches. The attack on the region by Italian soldiers during the invasion resulted in enormous human casualties and the destruction of churches. So, during the Italian invasion, in the East Härärghe Region, several churches were destroyed, ceased their services, or were displaced.  Many Arks migrated, the church lands confiscated, and the local churches displaced in the name of modernization. Various Orthodox Churches' historical materials and goods had either been looted or burned down with the churches. However, all these deliberate measures of the Italians to weaken the Christian religion, diminish the economic and political power of the local Christians, and establish a stable colonial system had not succeeded. As a matter of fact, such actions rather incited the local Christians to rebel against the Italian rule. Of course, it temporarily heightened the existing trivial Muslim-Christian rivalry, which led to bloody civil wars in some places.