BY MENGESHA AMARE
The victory of Adwa, which is also the victory of Africans and all blacks, was recently colorfully marked in different parts of Ethiopia.
As recurrently expounded by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, forgiveness, reconciliation, love, unity, inseparableness and gallantry against national interest are the sole ways for Ethiopia to recuperate its glory again.
Yes, hatred, evil mindedness, enmity, diabolic spirit and lack of patriotism have been exposed Ethiopia and Ethiopians to unfavorable circumstances incurring unburnable cost in all aspects as these superfluous attitudes have ruined and disabled us all for a long period of time.
No matter how sophisticated and varied the challenges orchestrated against Ethiopia and its people are since near recently, they will absolutely be discarded for good through love, reconciliation and togetherness thereby helping the nation be glorious and thriving in future.
Speaking at the wrap up event organized under the theme, “Opening new chapter of hope through national forum full of civility,” President Sahlework Zewdie said unity, leadership of immense civility, courage, fraternity, corruption condemning mentality and skill help all Ethiopians come together so as to hold their country together and being triumphant over poverty, maladministration and enmity.
As to her, with no doubt, the 21st century requires nothing but mobilization of the public to fight poverty and realize development, so Ethiopians have to support one other and stand together for the dignity and development of the country.
The president thanked her people for their support, coexistence, heartfelt cooperation and commitment to vow to help the nation have ‘love and unity.’
“Love, oath for condemning hatred, confrontation, disintegration and developing anti-peace mentality have been taken as the first ever millstones set to take us to a place where we want to reach.
All Ethiopians have to thank Martyrs who sacrificed themselves to let us live, who didn’t see this day, those who disgraced themselves to let us respected, and those who got manacled to let us unrestricted, those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our freedom—Adwa combatants,” she added.
Marking this year’s version of Victory Day, Ethiopian government officials, the general public and Ethiopians across all walks of life, called for further augmenting national unity and togetherness towards the country’s prosperity. The victory is that of East African countries too.
As to President Sahle-Work, the victory of Adwa had played a greater role in setting the overall societal, geographic and territorial integrity of Ethiopia; hence the current generation should embrace the spirit of the Adwa victory to build national unity towards realizing a positive future. Obviously, the battle of Adwa on March 2, 1896, which is also referred to as the first Ethiopian-Italian war, marks the first black victory against a colonizer force in the African continent.
“We have to understand the problems we are facing now and find a solution. We must strive to move forward for a better future by embracing the spirit of Adwa,” the president emphasized, adding “we must work in harmony to secure a developed country for the coming generation, accepting the fact that nothing comes above our beloved country,” she said.
Ethiopians need the spirit of the victory of Adwa more than ever to address the ongoing challenges the country has been facing, President Sahelework added.
The president said, “Ethiopia would not have looked what it is today had our forefathers not emerged victories at the Battle of Adwa. We can confidently speak that the victory over the European aggressor is not only a victory for Ethiopians but also for all black people,” she underlined.
According to her, the legacy proved that “Ethiopia is above the interests and desires of individuals or political groups. That is why they marched in unison to defend the country, irrespective of internal differences. Now, therefore, this spirit of Adwa is needed more than ever, the president stressed.”
Sahle-Work said, “We can overcome any obstacle as long as we maintain the spirit of Victory of Adwa. The secret of the victory is strong unity, courage, and the perseverance observed among Ethiopians. Above all, the love and loyalty our forefathers had for their country was the clandestine for the victory. We have to strive for preserving these values and accept the fact that everything is below the interest of Ethiopia and work hard in collaborative manner for peace and prosperity of the country.”
Muferiat Kamil, Minister of Peace on her part stressed that the Adwa victory is an important milestone, and Ethiopians should tap into the sense of unity that resulted from the memorable victory towards building national resilience that would help withstand current misunderstandings, wrong narratives and ill-intended preaches among the Ethiopians.
“The victory of Adwa is a symbol of unity, together and strength not only for Ethiopians and the rest of Africans, but also for the global community. The day signifies a profound achievement not only for Ethiopians, but also for all Africans and other freedom fighters across the globe,” said Muferiat.
“As the name depicts, it signifies a momentous victory by a less-equipped Ethiopian force against a well-equipped colonizing Italian force. Because of them (Ethiopians who fought against the colonizer force), we now celebrate Victory Day, not Independence Day,” she said.
“Thanks to our forefather’s patriotic deeds, we were able to keep our culture and knowledge, which could be seen as we are the only African country to have our own script,” she added.
Addis Ababa Deputy Mayor Adanech Abiebie said on her part that Ethiopians have to draw lessons from the Victory of Adwa to protect the sovereignty of the country.
She stressed the need to strengthen internal unity and strive for common prosperity, and the construction of Adwa Museum is underway in Addis Ababa in order to preserve the legacy of forefathers.
“The heroes and heroines of Adwa defended their country with understanding that their country’s sovereignty is above everything. This generation also needs to be aware of the fact that the nation is above everything,” the mayor stressed.
She also stated that the new generation needs to learn patriotism, cooperation, trust, togetherness, brotherhood, devotion and unity from forefathers to wipe out poverty and attain prosperity of the country.
Ethiopian Patriots Association President, Lij Daniel Jotie said Emperor Menelik II ordered patriots, governors and Ethiopians as a whole to put aside their differences and march in unison to defend their country.
Lij Daniel underscored that this generation needs to develop the culture of solving problems by bringing issues to the table.
The victory of Adwa reminds us all that despite differences, Ethiopians stand in unison when it comes to defending their country and safeguarding their national interest, this provides Ethiopians and Ethiopia with important lessons for today.
Not only has the Battle of Adwa been of colossal significance for Ethiopia but it has also of notable account for Africa. In simple terms, the age of continental invasion by the then European colonial powers was prettily aborted and their intention got dried.
As Ethiopia has remained independent, autonomous and un-colonized state of the continent, it has always been remembered as a model for the rest of the black.
Thanks to the victory of Adwa, the emergence of a new Africa and the continent started deciding its own destiny.
Adanech said, “Interestingly, the spirit of Adwa can still provide the African Union’s “Pan-Africanism for the African Renaissance”, with a springboard for future change and prosperity as Adwa certainly belongs to Africa.”
Ethiopia as well as Africa has to provide the youth with the basis to develop their own winning spirit drawn from the example of the courage and determination shown by their forefathers and foremothers.
The Ethiopian Herald March 6/2021
