Selemaw XIV of Kembesa
| Selemaw XIV Yegidoni | |||||
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| Elect of God • Ruler of Kembesa | |||||
| Tenure | December 11, 1986 – present | ||||
| Coronation | January 1, 1987 | ||||
| Predecessor | Selemaw XIII Yegidoni | ||||
| Abētōhun (heir apparent) | Kwastantinos Selemawi | ||||
| Born | Selemaw Selemawi 17 February 1959 Hagērī Palace, Azwa, Kembesa | ||||
| Spouse | Jēsīka Bētuli | ||||
| Issue | Kwastantinos Selemawi Katirīni Selemawi Kaleb Selemawi Yohon Selemawi | ||||
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| House | Yegidonochi | ||||
| Father | Selemaw XIII Yegidoni | ||||
| Mother | Enīqoqīho Hari | ||||
| Religion | Kembesan Orthodox Church
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| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  Kembesa | ||||
| Service/ |
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| Rank | Lord Colonel | ||||
| Unit | 12th Cavalry Regiment | ||||
| Battles/wars | Officers Coup (1982) | ||||
Selemaw XIV Yegidoni (born February 17, 1959), is the monarch of the Kingdom of Kembesa. The Kembesan title for the monarch "Seyoume Igziabeher" translates directly to "Elect of God", though it is more frequently simplified to "King". In his early adulthood, Lord Colonel Selemaw Selemawi was a career soldier in the Kembesan Elect Army.
King Selemaw acceded to the throne of Kembesan following the abdication of his father in December 1986. His early reign was marked by military interventions in neighbouring countries and conservative reforms within Kembesa. In the subsequent decades, King Selemaw has enacted and maintained protectionist economic policies as well as an anti-socialist agenda. The monarch's reign has been contested by liberal reformist politicians as well as several domestic terrorist campaigns.
In recent years, King Selemaw has retreated from public life, though he continues to carry through his governmental duties behind the walls of Hagērī Palace in Azwa. The monarch's last public appearance was in 2017 and most decrees and edicts are delivered through the palace's press office and messages to the royal councils.
Early life and education
Selemaw Selemawi was born on February 17, 1959, during the reign of his uncle King Isayasi III. After the passing of his uncle without issue in 1966, Selemaw's father was crowned ruler of Kembesa. Selemaw had grown up in the royal palace but his life quickly changed after being thrust into the role of heir apparent. The elder King Selemaw was forced to detach from his son to attend to his new duties and after the sudden passing of his mother in 1972, the young Selemaw connected most with his tutors.
At 14 years of age, the young Selemaw was sent to the Junior Military College of Saint Joriji at Kebera to continue his education. Many of the tutors from his youth followed him during this move but his family remained at the palace in the capital. After four years, Selemaw graduated with honours and enrolled in advanced placement with the Elect Army Officer Academy. He graduated and was commissioned a lieutenant in the T’ori'seyoum, or ground army, of Kembesa one year later.
Military service
Lieutenant Selemaw Selemawi served with the 12th Cavalry Regiment commanding a troop of tanks for a single year before being promoted to captain of his company. While Kembesa was not at war during this era, there was a period of civil unrest and the 12th Cavalry was frequently out on manoeuvers and parades to maintain order and confidence in the regime. After another year, the young captain was put on an advanced track for promotion to the rank of major.
In 1981, the leadership of the ground army and the air force launched a coup attempt against King Selemaw XIII. Lord Captain Selemaw was briefly imprisoned by the rebel officers but was rescued and assumed the rank of brevet-major. In this role, Captain Selemaw launched several successful operations against the rebel officers. After the coup was prevented, Captain Selemaw's brevet rank was affirmed and during the reorganization of Kembesa's military in 1982, he was again promoted to the rank of lord colonel and placed in command of the 12th Cavalry.
At some time in 1983, Lord Colonel Selemaw was transferred to the Tebaki'seyoum where he worked at a high level in what was, in effect, a secret police force. This work brought him back to the capital and he was able to work closely with his father again. As King Selemaw XIII began to strain with his duties, Lord Colonel Selemaw began to assume several of his father's obligations before the latter abdicated in favour of his son in 1986.
Elect of God
King Selemaw XIV was coronated on January 1, 1987. He was 27 years old at the time of his ascension. Following a growing reputation after the attempted Officers Coup, his reign was predicted to be energetic and popular. His years in the military also bought legitimacy among the mainstream commoners.
Early reign
In keeping with his reputation as a military leader, King Selemaw began his reign with a military intervention in M'biruna. The new ruler frequently divided his time between the palace and out in the field, working directly with the commanders of the Kembesan army. As a result, the already-labyrinthine legislative process in the Kingdom was frequently stalled by the ruler's absence.
Even once the military intervention had concluded, King Selemaw remained generally disinterested in many aspects of governance, though he remained relatively popular with the commons. The expansion of the Ordosocialist Front of Kembesa's terroristic campaigns in the 1990s and early 2000s preserved the legislatively idle status quo, though nearing two decades into his rule, King Selemaw became a less prominent fixture in the media.
Contemporary era
After 2014, King Selemaw has rarely made public appearances outside of religious holidays, scheduled speeches, and military reviews. Some have reported that the ruler's health has declined in his middle age. For the past decade, royal court sessions have been held in private and palace officials are responsible for the bulk of communication with the public.
Marriage and family
King Selemaw XIV was a bachelor on his ascension. By his own account, building a family was one of his top priorities, particularly after his uncle passed away without issue leaving the throne to an unprepared man. On the second anniversary of his reign, King Selemaw XIV and Wäyzärit Jēsīka Bētuli wed at Saint Gidoni Cathedral in Azwa.
The elect couple had five children. The eldest, born in 1989 was named Kwastantinos which is historically unconventional for a royal name. The second child of the couple was a daughter, Katirīni, born in 1990. Two more sons, Kaleb and Yohon, were born in 1992 and 1997, respectively. The couple has not had any other legitimate children.
National orders
Supreme Commander - Order of the Wardens of the Ark
Supreme Commander - Order of Saint Gidon
Grand Collar - Order of Saint Mika'el
Grand Collar - Order of Holy Lance
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