Johannes IV had been unable to exercise…

Johannes IV had been unable to exercise control over the nearly independent Shewans until six years later.

From the beginning of his reign, he was confronted with the growing power of Menelik, who had proclaimed himself king of Shewa and traced his Solomonic lineage to Lebna Dengel.

While Johannes was struggling against opposing factions in the north, Menelik consolidated his power in Shewa and extended his rule over the Oromo to the south and west.

He has garrisoned Shewan forces among the Oromo and received military and financial support from them.

Despite the acquisition of European firearms, in 1878 Menelik is compelled to submit to Johannes and to pay tribute; in return, Johannes recognizes Menelik as negus and gives him a free hand in territories to the south of Shewa.

This agreement, although only a truce in the long-standing rivalry between Tigray and Shewa, is important to Johannes, who is preoccupied with foreign enemies and pressures.

In many of Johannes's external struggles, Menelik maintains separate relations with the emperor's enemies and continues to consolidate Shewan authority in order to strengthen his own position.

In a subsequent agreement designed to ensure the succession in the line of Johannes, one of Johannes's younger sons is married to Zawditu, Menelik's daughter.