BY TEWODROS KASSA
Friday, February 19, 1937 (Yekatit 12 E.C) is one of the darkest days in the history of Ethiopia and Ethiopians. It was the day that the most horrific attacks were carried out against thousands of innocent Ethiopians; (residents of Addis Ababa city) by the Fascist Italian forces following an attempted assassination on Marshal Rodolfo Graziani by two young men known as Abraha Deboch and Moges Asgedom.
According to historical chronicles, in a span of three days, more than 30,000 people were massacred merely in the capital Addis Ababa and ten thousands of people were arrested in mass. Children, women and elders were among the victims. The day turned the streets of Addis Ababa into a flood of blood. Outside the capital Addis Ababa, the fascist forces massacred more than 500 monks at the Debre Libanos Monastery; a religious institution located about 105 km north of Addis Ababa.
Thus, every year, Ethiopians commemorate February 19 – The Martyrs Day to pay respect and honour the fallen citizens who were killed mercilessly by the fascists. Especially, at the capital Addis Ababa, the day is marked at the Yekatit 12 Square, Yekatit 12 Statue with various events. .
In fact, Ethiopia, throughout its history, had faced many ups and downs. Owing to its internal and external enemies, the country has gone through a number of challenging times. However, thanks to its selfless children who fought without any hesitation, the country’s sovereignty is respected.
The gallant patriots of the country never compromise with the national integrity, unity, and peaceful coexistence of the country. Fighting tooth and nail with foreign resistance at the highlands and lowlands of the country, they wrote a colourful history Today, Ethiopians are marking Yekatit 12 (Martyrs Day) which is remembered as one of the challenging incidents in the history of the country’s patriotic resistance against foreign intervention.
Historical evidences clearly show that the day insisted on more Ethiopians to fight further to free their land from the fascist Italian invaders. Therefore, patriots from every corner of the country march towards countering the evil acts of Marshal Rodolfo Graziani on innocent civilian Ethiopians. The Italian fascists’ aggressions over Ethiopia were not limited with massacre of more than 30,000 Ethiopians but also looting of the country’s heritages, natural and manmade resources,
And the new generation marks Yekatit 12 (Martyrs day) in the spirit of honouring, respecting and recognizing the sacrifice of the then patriots and the whole society who defended the country’s sovereignty. In today’s generation the Yekatit 12 execution is commemorated well and given due attention to enable the country to become competent in the 21st century through technology, economic advancement, civilization, among others, senior patriots said.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ancient Ethiopian Patriots’ Association Member Dagnachew Temesgen said that the fascist Italians believed that controlling Ethiopia will help them to control the whole Africa directly and indirectly. The fascist Italian invaders return to Ethiopia after 40 years of preparation. Ethiopian patriots and fighters had dismantled the Italians at the Battle of Adwa.
Thus, the Italian invaders are returned to Ethiopia both on land and sea with latest automatic armaments and chemical weapons to destroy the country and realize their ill intention of colonizing Ethiopia and Africa. “Then, Ethiopians stood as one and fought together irrespective of religion, ethnicity, and gender differences with traditional armaments such as spear, sword, and shield. The patriots travelled thousands of kilometres on bare foot far from their vicinity and with no modern ammunitions. Women had also contributed largely in the fight for freedom of the motherland,” he noted.
As to him, farmers throughout the country left their job and families for the sake of Ethiopia’s freedom and to defend it from European colonization. There is no farming, business, education, among others if there is no peace. Therefore, the current generation has to learn from the bloodshed fights of the forefathers and foremothers during those difficult times. Today’s freedom and ancient own cultural manifestations are sustained with the firm commitment of every citizen. Thus, the youth should return back and assess every historical achievement of the forefathers to take the best lessons that are worthy to the current situations, he reiterated.
Moreover, this generation should value the courageous fights of ancient patriots to withstand the intervention of foreign powers in the internal affairs of the country. The country has full rights to utilize its natural resources. This generation should work hand in hand with its own knowledge and capacity to develop the country and to win poverty.
More importantly, there are also various ways that this generation could write its own history colourfully and contribute more to the betterment of the country. Improving the traditional way of the agriculture system, easing elders’ life, helping each other, living peacefully and harmoniously, inventing latest technologies, among others are expected from the current generations towards building a better Ethiopia that embraces equality of its citizens. This generation has to remember the undesirable sides of war and conflict and learn from history. Peace is the only option during this era of technology.
As the capital of Africa, the country is expected to be a role model to other African brothers and sisters in every sector. In this regard, the youth should not give any room for internal conflict and attacking brothers; rather work together for a better Ethiopia that accommodates every citizen equally.
Accordingly, the Victory of Adwa and other battlefields are genuine lessons from forefathers’ in nation building, fighting poverty, and repression. The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and other mega projects witness that the new generation is doing its level best to repeat the Golden victory of the forefathers and foremothers at the battlefields Adwa and Maychew.
The Ethiopian Herald February 19/2023
