Just to add a bit of interesting historical detail, the British had actually fought the Ethiopians not that long before the Madhist period.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British...n_to_Abyssinia
There was also large battle between the Madhists and the Ethiopians
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallabat
Not as well known as the actions involving the British but extremely important none the less.