"[3] Because of these "shrewd politics", which included providing military assistance to Menelik in conquering the neighboring kingdoms of Kullo (1889), Walamo (1894), and Kaffa (1897), he was able to preserve the autonomy of Jimma until his death.

[4] On the other hand, Alexander Bulatovich states that, when Jimma was annexed to Ethiopia, Emperor Menelik imprisoned Aba Jifar "for inspiring excessive enthusiasm in his own standing army and trying to entice Abyssinian soldiers to his own service" in Ankober for a year.

"[5] Historian Enrico Cerulli however states that Abba Jifar was detained for 26 weeks due to his refusal to hand over Hadiya rebel leader Hassan Enjamo.

[7] In 1930, Haile Selassie removed an enfeebled Abba Jifar II from power and installed his son-in-law, Ras Desta Damtew, in his place.

Desta Damtew ruled as Governor (Shum) of Jimma, while Abba Jifar II was allowed to remain as King (Negus) as titular head.