Ethiopia’s womb has never been sterilized as it has by no means lacked patriotic sons and daughters who would prefer sacrifice themselves to see the territorial integrity of their country is threatened and its national sovereignty is violated.
As attested by historians and recorded in history, Ethiopia and Ethiopians can never accept invaders and betrayals who attempt to undermine the sovereignty of their country in one way or another. Clearly, the massacre of more than 30,000 Ethiopians, on Yekatit 12, within three days following Fascist Italian authorities’ order for mass killings resulted from the assassination attempt of General Graziani in Siddist Killo is commemorated today. Following the celebration of the event, this writer approached Molla Ababu, a history teacher to find some facts about the historical background of the event and its relation with the current generations’ determination not to expose this beloved nation—Ethiopia—to external aggressors though the wheel for evil deed against it is being driven by duplicities and their masters outside.
Yes, Ethiopians annually pay tribute to the patriotic heroes, heroines and innocent civilian victims killed by Italian fascist armed forces on this day, today commonly termed as “YeSema’etat Qen.” Hence, this year marks the brutal killing of Ethiopians by Dictator Benito Mussolini’s troops during the second Italy war, he said. Undeniably, there are a number of stories of martyrdom which would never be forgotten in the history of the country. Some of the most attention-grabbing facts about the role of martyrdom in history and the different people who have given everything for what they believed in can absolutely be the war heroes of the Italian occupation.
If truth be told, in the history of mankind, battles bring about heroes/heroines, patriots among the population in a given county. Even traitors can potentially emerge then taking all circumstances as advantageous scenes.
The traitors make the conditions of the battle easier for enemy and difficult for the freedom fighters. As to Molla, the bloody revenge transcended to the humiliation the fascist Italy faced at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 by Ethiopian patriots. Besides, to the astonishment of the world, the well-equipped and armed invading Italian army was resoundingly crushed. Molla said, “The current situation provoked by terrorist Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and the then deeds do share a similar mission—belittling and dismantling Ethiopia, if possible.
The mere difference is invaders came in person and did what they would love to quench their wicked interest, but these days they have tried to do all what they prefer through internal betrayals—the terrorist TPLF by conducting a proxy war and sponsoring it through misinformation and even military satellite.” He further elaborated that in particular, the Siddist kilo monument commemorates the lives and tragic deaths of citizens of Ethiopia attacked after an attempt was made on the life of Graziani, an Italian officer, when Italian soldiers razed their homes to the ground in
vengeance. “Needless to state, Ethiopians religious, political, or social messages have provided the generation with power and meaning as well as a life far beyond their tragic ends,” Molla opined.
As a matter of coincidence, the month of Yekatit or February is the season where distinguished incidents had happened in the Ethiopian history leaving a mark on generations.
Ethiopians use this month to remember the victims of this tragic day, February 19, 1937, or Yekatit 12 and to honor the heroes who fought for Ethiopia’s sovereignty in the fiveyear (1935-1941) Italian occupation, Molla stated.
According to Molla, publicly denouncing the fascist Italian occupation and its violence and terror, Abune Petros, a well-known Ethiopian Orthodox Bishop who assisted the Ethiopian troops in their struggle to resist the occupation was executed by an Italian firing squad on July 29, 1936. Abuna Petros, the martyr, rejected all Italian persuasion to accept Italian leader Benito Mussolini as the ruler of Ethiopia. He strongly encouraged the citizens to protect Ethiopian sovereignty.
The fascist Italy executed him by an Italian firing squad on July 29, 1936. Molla further elucidated that Abune Petros was executed at public square where enormous parishioners gathered for the dignity and sovereignty of his country refusing a final offer to save his irreplaceable life prior to the homicide. Ethiopia does have a number of patriots, even nowadays, who are courageous enough and determined to get sacrificed instead of seeing their country either devoid of its national integrity and severing or knelt down to foreign aggressors working against Ethiopia expressly or tacitly. “War, broke out time after time, has further cemented the indispensable unity of Ethiopians across ethnic lines.
As the Ethiopian history, the unity of the country had also been demonstrated in March 1896, when Emperor Menelik II stood up by galvanizing armies from different ethnic groups against invading Italian army,” Molla added. Ethiopia has maintained its independence for over 3000 years and beyond.
Unfortunately, the unity of Ethiopians had been endangered following the diehard ethnic politicians’ polarized partisan agenda. One can only hope the young generation should study and learn Ethiopia’s historical events such as Yekatit 12.
The history of martyrs and patriots, like Abuna Petros, should inspire young generation to bring all inclusive ideas to make Ethiopia safe and livable by all humanity.
Cognizant of the sacrifice paid to save Ethiopia that time, it is important to remember the freedom and independence Ethiopia has now been experiencing rooted in the unifying spirit of Ethiopians to resist foreign powers and colonial invaders. ‘Ye-Sema’etat Qen,’ has been speaking about patriotic citizens paid life during that trying time.
In addition, the unforgettable massacre by Graziani’s troops on February 19, 1937 in Addis Ababa and surrounding area has been well stamped in the minds of all Ethiopians. Hence, the importance of celebrating the day is indescribable as it has been life time memory of fraternity to pay respect for our forefathers who fell for our freedom, independence and reputation.
Without a shadow of doubt, this kind of events will help to remember and tell untold stories to young generations. Freedom loving people who fought for our independence shall never be forgotten indeed.
The case of the heroic father and son, Eshete Moges and his son Yitagesu Eshete, who fought against the insurgents of the terrorist group that tried to dismantle Ethiopia joining hands with internal factions and nation’s external historic enemies and died with dignity, is prettily equivalent with the historical epoch recorded earlier.
Residents of Addis Ababa along with government officials and representatives of Ethiopian Patriots Association commemorated the Yekatit 12 massacre at the vicinity of BY MENGESHA AMARE Siddist Kilo Martyrs Monument. Obviously, this grand event is Ethiopians enduring national history record of victory over Mussolini’s incursion.
Participation in this type of celebration will allow all Ethiopians discuss their national pride, most importantly to recognize the sacrifices made by freedom fighters that have kept Ethiopia as a sovereign and independent state. It is customary to remember martyrs in the form of parade, wreath laying and patriotic speech, or prayer. ‘Ye-Sema’etat Qen,’ is of paramount importance in beefing up three fundamental and prime as well as lead objectives, but not limited to- inspiring the generation and teaching them about the remarkable fight conducted against the enemy and helping all Ethiopians pledge and carry on their legacy to keep this great motherland free from invaders and external aggressors, in the first place. Secondly, honoring and celebrating the patriotic heroes who died in defiance of occupation. Thirdly, acknowledging the resistance stories of courage as well as recalling the distressing side of war that many citizens died and suffered in the hands of Italian invading armies.
Undeniably, Ethiopians had fought with Italians on March 1, 1896 at Adwa (The Battle of Adwa), in which the aggressor was resoundingly crushed. Patriots had the will to fight and resist protecting our beloved country.
Generally, as Ethiopians have never forgotten the freedom and liberty that have been given to them by forefathers, foremothers and ancestors, they could hardly let the day pass without being commemorated. “We all must continue to commemorate this day and should not be squandered by the enemy cheap and ignorant analogies.
Hence, all Ethiopians should also make history these days over a number of challenges and organized conspiracies as the country is being baffled by a multitude of evil deeds of the betrayals like internal terrorists,” he underlined.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
The Ethiopian Herald 19 February 2022
