sovereignty dominated their relations for the next several years. From 29 January 1943, when the Emperor created the position, Makonnen served as Ethiopia's first Prime Minister, until his retirement on 1 November 1957. Bahre Zewde notes, however, that Makonnen "was a mere ceremonial figure, given more to intellectual pursuits than to political machinations. The de facto prime minister [during Makonnen's tenure] was Tsahafe T'ezaz Walda-Giyorgis Walda-Yohannes." Spencer notes that his fellow ministers considered him "as a lightweight." Makonnen then became the president of Ethiopian Senate from 1957 to 1961. Although Makonnen led the delegation that represented Ethiopia at the summit in San Francisco that created the United Nations, because he was not fluent in either French or English he took no part in the debates. Notes 1890 births 1963 deaths 20th-century Ethiopian politicians Prime Ministers of Ethiopia Amharic-language writers Ethiopian novelists 20th-century novelists Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany