The African Union (AU) has the responsibility of taking a measure to uphold and hand down the spirits of the victory of Adwa, says pan-African experts and scholars alike as Ethiopia is set to mark the 124th Victory of Adwa on Monday.
The victory that is a landslide black people’s achievement had sent an enduring message to all the oppressed on the fact that the myth of European superiority was able to defeated; hence, the experts and scholars say the continental organization should no longer ignore this remarkable heritage.
Ayele Bekerie is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of a Ph.D. Program in Heritage Studies at Mekelle University. He argues that the Victory of Adwa goes way beyond Ethiopia.
“The victory is not limited to an outcome of a battle between two warring countries. The central message of the victory at the Battle of Adwa is that colonialism was wrong, and under any circumstance, it cannot be acceptable.”
The victory at Adwa provided the spark for fellow African brothers and sisters to determinedly fight against colonial subjugation, he says.
“It is true that the end of colonialism was in Africa and the historic contribution of Ethiopia had been marked by establishing the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While the gesture was significant, I would argue that AU should take another critical step by declaring Yekatit 23rd as African day.”
The continental bloc looks like to turn its heads to glorify the history of the continent, particularly in recent years.
The Union has put up the statues of the founding fathers—of the precursor of AU, the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The Ghanaian independent leader Kwame Nkrumah and Ethiopia’s last Emperor Haile Selassie’s statues have now been gracing the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. There is also Julius Nyerere Peace and Security Building which was funded by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany on the premises of AU.
But the victory of Adwa which is said to have inspired the founding fathers themselves, and an event that dismantled the myth of African inferiority for good, has not got its deserved place at the continental bloc.
The Union just releases strong statements to mark the day year in, year out. For instance, in 2018 when the 122nd Victory Day of Adwa was celebrated AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat had this to say: “Adwa was not only an Ethiopian victory but also an African victory and one for all peoples across the world who were, at the time, subjected to colonial domination and discrimination.” [see http://www.infosplusgabon.com]
He went to say that there are many lessons to be drawn from the historic event as the battle of Adwa and its outcome have highlighted the critical importance of self-reliance, patriotism, and selflessness, and unity, irrespective of political, ethnic and other differences.
The statement also indicated the victory as the history of the continent.
But, there is no attempt to institutionalize the victory of Adwa which is known to the public so far apart from releasing the statements.
To this end, Ayele argues that the AU should institutionalize Yekatit 23rd and has to make it an African day. It could prepare programs to celebrate the Day both in Addis Ababa and the capitals of the member countries.
Friends of Ethiopia, such as Ghana, South Africa, Senegal and Zimbabwe should take the initiative to propose Yekatit 23rd as Africa’s day or whatsoever the naming of the day would be. “The ownership of Adwa should be broadened, and the marking of the Day is one way of actualizing it.”
Metassebia Hailu, a Lawyer and a Ph.D. Student in African Studies, buys the ideas of Ayele.
He says, the AU has two different options to observe this important event and own this victory on a continental level.
This includes but not limited to forming continental institution under AU’s supervision as well as dedicating a day to be celebrated on continental level.
He adds that Pan-Africanism was originated and went through different stages that stretched from a concept to institution that gave a birth to OAU/AU. Therefore, all Africans shall join Ethiopians in celebrating this significant victory and pay homage to the Ethiopian patriots led by Menelik II who beat the Italian colonial forces.
Similarly, AU Youth Volunteer John Youhanes Magoc strengthens the idea that observing the day on a continental level will encourage the youths of Africa.
“The victory needs to be glorified by all Africans because it shows the zeal and united resistance against colonialism.”
African youth, men and women can learn a lot from the victory to materialize the unity that is needed in achieving “the Africa We Want” by 2063,” he adds.
African is now politically liberated, and pan-African intellectuals and independent leaders took inspiration from the Victory of Adwa to achieve their goals. Du Bois, an African American who is regarded as a true father of modern pan-Africanism desired for more Adwas to liberate the continent, as recounted by Paulos Milkias (Ph.D.), in his 2018 piece of writing entitled: The Battle of Adwa.
Still, pan-Africanism is relevant and has so much to offer to the continent, and the foundation stone to this is the victory made in Adwa. The continent’s problems of self-reliance, disease, war, corruption, foreign arms twisting, and whatnot are not something invincible. With a united force, they would be defeated and Africa and Africans can draw strength from the victory by putting it at the epicenter of their continental union.
The victory Day is gaining purchase globally. For instance, the Council of Montgomery County in Maryland on March 1, 2020, passed a declaration that dedicate the month of March as Adwa Victory Month. Among others, the proclamation states: “the victory of the Battle of Adwa is celebrated each year as an inspiration for African nationalism….”
The Ethiopian Herald February 28/2020
BY WORKU BELACHEW
