Why did Menilek II sign the Treaty of Wichale with Italy in 1889?

Menilek II signed the Treaty of Wichale on May 2, 1889, primarily to secure his position as emperor following the death of Yohannes IV and to obtain essential resources for his state.12

The agreement served several strategic purposes for Menilek:

• Military and Financial Support: In exchange for granting Italy control over the northern territories of Bogos, Hamasen, and Akale-Guzai (modern Eritrea), Italy provided Menilek with a loan, 30,000 muskets, and 28 cannons. These resources were vital for consolidating his power and equipping his forces.314
• Diplomatic Recognition: By establishing a pact of peace and amity, Menilek sought to stabilize his reign and gain international legitimacy as the new emperor.25
• Territorial Consolidation: The treaty allowed Menilek to focus on his ambitions to expand and unify the Ethiopian empire, particularly in the southern and eastern regions, while settling the status of the northern borderlands.254

The treaty later became a source of conflict due to a deliberate mistranslation of Article XVII by the Italians, which they used to claim a protectorate over Ethiopia—a claim Menilek firmly rejected.324