Mahdist Sudan-Ethiopian Alliance

Mahdist Sudan-Ethiopian Alliance

Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes IV offered Mahdist Sudan an alliance to drive out the Western powers. The Mahdists refused and instead attacked Ethiopia because they weren't Muslim. During the war both sides sustained heavy casualties and Emperor Yohannes was actually killed. The Ethiopians were able to recover and defeat the Italians at Adwa, but the Mahdists ened up getting crushed by the British at Omdurman.

What if the Mahdist's instead decided to ally with the Ethiopians? How strong would they be together? Would they have emerged victorious in a war against the British and Italians? What impact would a surviving Mahdist state have?
 
Mahdist Sudan-Ethiopian Alliance

Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes IV offered Mahdist Sudan an alliance to drive out the Western powers. The Mahdists refused and instead attacked Ethiopia because they weren't Muslim. During the war both sides sustained heavy casualties and Emperor Yohannes was actually killed. The Ethiopians were able to recover and defeat the Italians at Adwa, but the Mahdists ened up getting crushed by the British at Omdurman.

What if the Mahdist's instead decided to ally with the Ethiopians? How strong would they be together? Would they have emerged victorious in a war against the British and Italians? What impact would a surviving Mahdist state have?
They get partitioned by the British and the Italians.
 
Well that's kinda the problem. The Mahdist couldn't ally with the Ethiopian 'cause they were christians.

Now, what if the other way around. Ethiopia, through means and mirrors, arms the Mahdist under the secret promise not to attack them. Raid a couple villages as a decoy just like that but don't make a full blown attack.
Contain the invaders, make a common secret front.

Waddya think?
 
Well that's kinda the problem. The Mahdist couldn't ally with the Ethiopian 'cause they were christians.

Now, what if the other way around. Ethiopia, through means and mirrors, arms the Mahdist under the secret promise not to attack them. Raid a couple villages as a decoy just like that but don't make a full blown attack.
Contain the invaders, make a common secret front.

Waddya think?

It would be hard for Christians and Muslims to be allies. They don't necessarily have to fight together like you said Ethiopia could sell the Mahdists guns and maybe skirmish with them a bit for a good show.

I know British troops were allowed to withdraw through Ethiopia, during the initial uprising. If the Ethiopians deny them this casualties could be heavier, i don't know what other route they would have to take. The Ethiopians can also then focus on retaking the major port of Massawa from the Italians.

If the Mahdists haven't lost as many troops fighting the Ethiopians they might do better at Omdurman. The British left flank was wide open, the Mahdists tried to push through but didn't have much troops in that sector. If the Mahdist right wing is stronger they will probably sweep into the British rear camp. If this happens the British will be crushed up against the Nile.

battle-omdurman-sept-2-1200.jpg

battle-omdurman-second-1200.jpg
 
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