Selemaw XIV of Kembesa

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Selemoni XIV Yegidoni
Abebe Aregai, Ethiopian military commander and Prime minister.jpg
Elect of God • Ruler of Kembesa
TenureDecember 11, 1986 – present
CoronationJanuary 1, 1987
PredecessorSelemoni XIII Yegidoni
Abētōhun 
(heir apparent)
Kwastantinos Selemoni
BornSelemoni Selemoni
(1959-02-17) 17 February 1959 (age 65)
Hagērī Palace, Azwa, Kembesa
SpouseJēsīka Bētuli
IssueKwastantinos Selemoni
Katirīni Selemoni
Kaleb Selemoni
Yohon Selemoni
HouseYegidonochi
FatherSelemoni XIII Yegidoni
MotherEnīqoqīho Hari
ReligionKembesan Orthodox Church


Military career
Allegiance Kembesa
Service/branch
RankColonel
Unit12th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsOfficers Coup (1982)

Selemoni 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, Colonel Selemoni Selemoni was a career soldier in the Kembesan Elect Army.

King Selemoni 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 Selemoni 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 Selemoni 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

Selemoni Selemoni 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, Selemoni's father was crowned ruler of Kembesa. Selemoni had grown up in the royal palace but his life quickly changed after being thrust into the role of heir apparent. The elder King Selemoni 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 Selemoni connected most with his tutors.

At 14 years of age, the young Selemoni 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, Selemoni 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 Selemoni Selemoni 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 Selemoni XIII. Captain Selemoni was briefly imprisoned by the rebel officers but was rescued and assumed the rank of brevet-major. In this role, Captain Selemoni launched several successful operations against the rebel officers. After the coup was prevented, Captain Selemoni's brevet rank was affirmed and during the reorganization of Kembesa's military in 1982, he was again promoted to the rank of colonel and placed in command of the 12th Cavalry.

At some time in 1983, Colonel Selemoni 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 Selemoni XIII began to strain with his duties, Colonel Selemoni began to assume several of his father's obligations before the latter abdicated in favour of his son in 1986.

Elect of God

King Selemoni 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

Contemporary era

Marriage and family

King Selemoni 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 Selemoni 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

  • ETH Order of the Star of Ethiopia - Grand Cross BAR.png Supreme Commander - Order of Saint Gidoni
  • ETH Order of Solomon BAR.png Grand Collar - Order of the Wardens of the Ark
  • Order of the Holy Trinity (Ethiopia) - ribbon bar.gif Grand Collar - Order of Holy Lance