Before 1889, Mengesha Yohannes was considered the Emperor's nephew, but on 9 March 1889 the Emperor on his deathbed, in Metemma, recognized him as his son, from a side-relation with his brother Gugsa's wife. Therefore, some informants still claim that Mengesha Yohannes was strongly attached to Yohannes throughout his life. Dejazmach Mengesha Yohannes was designated by the Emperor as his heir-to-the-throne, and allegedly crowned still on the battlefield of Metemma, but Mengesha Yohannes was not able to claim the throne.
Prior to 1889, Mengesha Yohannes was regarded as the Emperor's nephew, but on March 9, 1889, the Emperor acknowledged him as his son in a private ceremony, stemming from an extramarital relationship with his brother Gugsa's wife. Consequently, some sources assert that Mengesha Yohannes maintained a lifelong bond with Yohannes. Dejazmach Mengesha Yohannes was appointed by the Emperor as his successor and allegedly crowned on the battlefield of Metemma, but he failed to seize the throne.