It was on 17 September 1895; Emperor Menelik II declared a total mobilization of war against the Fascist Italian Forces that invaded Ethiopia. At the time, the Emperor called on all Ethiopians, regardless of any differences, to defend their country. He ordered every capable person to fight and those incapable to pray for Ethiopia’s victory.
Respecting Menelik’s call and accepting his request, Ethiopians from every segment, (fighters, farmers, pastoralists, laborers, artisans, traders, as well as women) furiously and courageously moved to battlefronts holding their second-rate weapons; but a strong cause.
As various documents indicate, regional leaders from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds responded unanimously creating an army of 100,000.
The Emperor Menelik did not only urge the people to stand by his side, but he, himself, had headed to the warfront to lead the army.
The outcome of this battle ensured Ethiopia’s independence, making it the only African country never to be colonized. The Victory of Adwa has turned Ethiopia into a symbol of freedom, an emblem of pride for Africans and for all black people around the globe.
Not only that it also embarrassed colonialists, completely melted their heated up ambition known as ‘the Scramble for Africa’, deflated invaders’ morale and their sense of superiority. Surprisingly, it has even led to a change of government in Italy.
Now, history is repeating itself. Owing to the concerted conspiracy of its internal enemies and western entities, the nation is in a more pressing moment than before and has encountered a condition that compelled the nation to enter into war.
Particularly, the terrorist TPLF group by taking the advantage of government’s unilateral ceasefire measures and joining hand with external forces, it is disrupting the peace and security of the people.
By invading the adjacent areas (Amhara and Tigray states), it has perpetrated severe crimes on innocent civilians. It has massacred thousands of civilians, wounded, displaced hundreds of thousand people from their living places, destroyed infrastructure, looted public and private properties, including food and nonfood items kept in storages by relief organizations for targeted recipients.
In times where the Fascist forces attempted to control the nation, there were committed Ethiopians who were willing to die for their nation. But that does not mean there were no traitors that had been dealing with the lives of their fellow Ethiopian brothers and sisters. These traitors (bandas) were serving as an instrument to terrorize Ethiopians standing by the side of the invading forces and through feeding information to the enemy.
This was also witnessed and repeated at this critical point too. Last Wednesday, in a video footage, Western Diplomats and Pro TPLF groups were exposed while sneaking around to put Ethiopian peace at stake.
However, the strong Ethiopian sentiment which surpasses all earthly things has also repeated itself –Ethiopians across the globe have shown and renewed their unreserved effort and commitment to go to warfront, condemning the terrorist TPLF junta as well as the unjustifiable intervention of West and their affiliated media outlets.
Depending on the type of profession they engaged in and the need of their nation, Ethiopians are now responding to the call of their nation to combat the hybrid war.
Following the call of Emperor Menelik, no single Ethiopian soul sits idle. Everyone was ready and happy to defend his/her land from foreign invasion. In the same manner, following Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed`s decision to go to war front and lead the army, several Ethiopians are immediately showing willingness to fight for their motherland.
Athlete Haile Gebresselase, is one of the great Ethiopians who modeled the action of the Prime Minister and showed willingness to fight for motherland Ethiopia.
As it was mentioned recently, Olympic Gold Medalist and Ethiopian Hero, Haile Gebreselassie, is ready and willing to go to the battlefield to punish the rebellion forces.
In his recent interview with one of the foreign media, Haile confirmed that, he is willing and happy to pay all the sacrifice to protect his country from the terrorist faction.
According to him, peace and stability of the nation comes first before fame.
The action of the Prime Minister has attracted several Ethiopians and Ethiopia’s lovers to join the army and beat the terrorist TPLF, which is found at the brim of its death.
The genetic code that had been working through Ethiopian heroes and heroines is still active. The heroic heart that punishes colonialists irreversibly is still ready to defend the nation. The body of those strong Ethiopians may have died and buried underneath the soil; but, their courageousness and indomitable spirit is still working through every Ethiopian.
No matter how the terrorist TPLF junta and its drivers attempt to create enmity and differences among Ethiopians for their own sake, Ethiopians have become more and more closer and stand for national security.
The recent victories that were registered in different battlefields and the Prime Minister’s courage have further boosted the morale of several Ethiopians to join the army and punish the terrorist TPLF.
Despite all the attempts of the remnants of the terrorist enterprise, its drivers (the West) and insurgents to stir the peace and stability of the nation through their white lies Ethiopians have united together more than ever. They have joined the army to punish the junta.
There was no time Ethiopians compared their comfort, position or fame with their country. The response of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Athletes Haile Gebresselaise, Feyisa Lilesa, Artist Tewodros Teshome as well as high government officials is a good example in this regard. Despite the comfortable life they are leading and the fortune and reputation they got, they have preferred to go to the war front. This is what Ethiopia is and it is the true manifestation of Ethiopians identity. And when we are saying “History is repeating itself,” it is not just to say it; rather it is by reason and with good cause.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
ETHIOPIAN HERALD NOVEMBER 26/2021
