The Zemene Mesafint (1769-1855) was a period of political fragmentation in Ethiopia, characterized by the weakening of central authority and the rise of regional warlords. This era saw the kingdom divided into regions controlled by powerful local lords, leading to lawlessness and civil conflict. The decline of royal power started with the wars of Imam Ahmad and worsened with defeats against the Oromo and the establishment of Gondar as a fixed capital, which further detached the kings from provincial affairs.

By the late 18th century, Gondar’s kings, including Tekle Giyorgis, had little power, while regional lords like Ras Welde Sellassie and King Sahle Sellassie became wealthy and influential. The Rasbitwededs (prime ministers) effectively controlled the kingdom, leading to continuous civil wars and disputes. The Yejju Oromo, under the Yejju or Werre Sheh dynasty, dominated Gondar and central regions in the early 19th century. The period was also marked by external threats, particularly from Egypt, which began expanding into Sudan in 1821. This threat, combined with internal crises, significantly impacted the peasantry, who faced conscription, plundering, and disruptions to agriculture and trade.

The era ended in 1855 when Emperor Tewodros II (formerly Kasa Hailu) defeated key regional lords and was crowned, initiating efforts to restore central authority and reestablish a strong government.