Ethiopia marks patriots’ victory day year on year on a national scale colorfully in commemoration of the end of the Italian occupation in 1941. During the day, people regardless of age, sexual category, political point of view, and political affiliation celebrate the day in various parts of the country.
History dictates that Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia made a grand entrance into the capital city, Addis Ababa, on May 5, 1941 with the purpose of marking the end of the Italian occupation. The emperor had picked the day on the grounds that five years earlier the Italian had crossed the threshold of the city and tried to rule the country amidst fierce struggle by Ethiopian patriots.
There is nothing that makes the general public happier than celebrating the day adorning themselves head to foot with attention-grabbing traditional Ethiopia clothes. It is no hyperbole to say, Ethiopians are patriotic people who defend their nation whenever their country is invaded by foreign aggressors who make an effort to breach the sovereignty of the country.
They do not hesitate to give their all to their motherland. Above and beyond, their number one priority is their country. As Ethiopians are patriotic people, external invaders do not have room to make their hidden agenda become a reality.
In a similar vein, dwellers of the capital city, Addis Ababa, and its environs, members of the Patriotic Association, high government officials and others mark the day around Meyazia 27 Square. The day carries another important message for the current generation that Ethiopians can overcome challenges facing the time.
The ongoing misinformation campaign against Ethiopia about the law enforcement operation in Tigray State and the threats posed by Egypt, Sudan and some foreign forces is a stark reminder that this is a time for Ethiopians to leave their differences aside and stand united to defend their country from any aggression like their forefathers and foremothers did against foreign aggressors.
Currently Ethiopia is grappled with internal and external setbacks and it requires the spirit of the patriot fathers to neutralize threats and come out triumphant. Speaking to journalists on Monday, President of Ethiopian Patriots Association, Lij Daniel Jote Mesfin called up on citizens to stand united so as to triumph over the current foreign enemies of the nation, reported FBC.
Ethiopia has encountered a circumstance that is similar to the invasion perpetrated against it before 80 years. The Ethiopian Patriots Association organized a press briefing regarding the 80th anniversary of the Patriots Victory Day on May 5 which marks the end of the Italian Fascist occupation in 1941.
Lij Daniel Jote Mesfin stated that Victory Day will be celebrated with various events in the vicinity of Victory Monument at Arat Kilo in attendance of high level officials including President Sahlework Zewdie.
Ethiopia’s historical enemies are trying to exploit internal circumstances in the country for their evil agenda, and create mistrust between the government and the people, the Association President said, expressing conviction that the nation always preserves its sovereignty with gallantry of its people.
Ethiopia continues to be source of pride for its citizens, the whole black people at large and those who were under colony; the President stressed calling citizens to stand united against enemies of the nation.
The Completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a historic phenomenon that best preserves Ethiopia’s national pride and sovereignty, he underlined. He further called upon citizens to play their share in making the upcoming general elections free, fair and peaceful.
It is to be recalled that Ethiopian patriots were able to reap the fruit of success on all war fronts. Their success story was the talk of everyone. Their success story spread like wildfire in the length and breadth of the world and turned out to be the talk of their entire world owing to their patriotism despite challenges.
Ethiopians managed to defeat the Italian aggressors with flying colors after a short time. The patriots’ resistance to the invaders was the talk of everyone worldwide that cannot be expressed in a few words. In brief, it was indescribable.
However, the intervention of British forces and other Allies, as well as the heroics of Ethiopian patriots, helped preserve Ethiopia’s independence. Ever since, Ethiopians have annually commemorated Selassie’s famous arrival into the capital.
According to an article published in Addis Standard, an English outlet, Ethiopia had put trust on the defunct League of Nations though the League failed to keep its promises. The League was unable to restrain Italy. The historic duty to defend their sovereignty falls on the shoulders of Ethiopians.
The young Akililu Habtewold, the later diplomat, was one of the few intellectuals who countered Italy’s false propaganda against Ethiopia. He has written on French magazines about Ethiopia’s civilization and the abolition of slavery which has enabled Abyssinia’s membership to the League of Nation, the only African member to the league.
It was the moment when Ethiopians proved their heroism. They fought for their land without a leader. The emperor was in exile and the public was paying all price to the independence of their beloved country. Farmers organized in a patriot movement and blocked Italy from fully occupying the territory of Ethiopia except cities. Women patriots did an extraordinary job by then.
Patriots fought for the independence of their country, not for the vacant throne. The throne was waiting for the exiled Emperor. Ethiopian patriots put an end to the ambition of fascist Italy and its leader Benito Mussolini.
Post-Italian diplomacy was an exception of all times. Ethiopia has ushered in a golden diplomacy in convincing the winners of World War II to accept its participation in the Paris peace conference despite Italy’s and some of its allies’ oppositions. They had compelled Italy to pay compensation for the damages she has caused to Ethiopia due to its unlawful aggression.
“Our diplomats defended Libya’s, Kenya’s, Sudan’s, and Somalis territorial integrity before the assembly of the Paris peace conference. Our diplomats negotiated and adopted the Charter of the United Nations. History remembers the matchless price paid by the notable diplomats like Akililu Habtewold, Lorenzo Taezaz, and other diplomatic delegations of the time.”
This post-Italian occupation diplomacy success tells us that we have to win the Nile diplomatic war through determination and dedication. It is notorious that Egypt is in a swift coercive diplomacy towards GERD. She is performing the water war narrative as invented and expounded by Anwar Sadat and Boutros Boutros Ghali, according to the article.
“We should use our gifted skills of diplomacy. It indeed seems that the art of diplomacy seems revived this time around. The legal, technical and diplomatic teams represented Ethiopia on the recently failed GERD negotiations saved us from a historic diplomatic defeat.
They deserve applause.” The younger team members are playing an unprecedented role in this Nile war. Their combination with the seasoned and veteran diplomats is superb. With this background, we should and can win both the war and the battle when it’s due.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The Ethiopian Herald May 5/2013
