BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
Ethiopia, in its history, has gone through a number of challenges. Especially following its important strategic location in the Horn of Africa, and its proximity to the Middle East and Europe, the country was faced with a range of peace and security problems, posed by external forces.
However, glory to its brave children, the country can successfully thwart the invading forces, abort their ill intents and sustain its independence and territorial integrity.
The victory Ethiopians scored over the invading Italian Fascist at the Battle of Adwa during the era of “Scramble for Africa” can be mentioned in this regard. Ethiopians, contrary to the wishes and expectations of European powers, beat the invading forces and heralded unexpected feat.
Similarly, the victory Ethiopians gained over the Somali troops who had invaded Ethiopia in 1977 is another instance that demonstrates how Ethiopians are committed to sacrifice their lives to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country.
While speaking in relation to the 127 Anniversary of the Victory of Adwa in which our forefathers and mothers humiliated the invading Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the historic victory was achieved by blood-sweat sacrifices of Ethiopians from every corner of the country.
The patriots, putting aside their internal issues, paid the sacrifices collectively to sustain indigenous identities, culture, freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia, he added. Likewise, the 45th Anniversary of the Victory of Karamara in which the Ethiopian Defense force thwarted the invading forces of the Siad Barre of Somalia at Karamara was also marked last Sunday, March 5, 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Ethiopia-Cuba Friendship Park at Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau Head Hirut Kassaw (PhD), said that Ethiopia is a country that has defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the attempts of some external aggressors by the sacrifices of its brave sons and daughters, FBC reported.
Saying that Ethiopia always remembers the support it received from sister countries at times of need Hirut lauded Cuba for the support it exerted during the Ethio-Somalia war to enable Ethiopia defended the invasion of Siad Barre.
It is remembered that Cuba, under the leadership of Fidel Castro, sent around 15,000 soldiers who fought alongside the Ethiopian army against the invading forces of Somalia. Owing to the support of the Cuban Government to Ethiopia, Ethiopians always praise the historic support and appreciate the Cuban people while celebrating the Karamara Victory Day.
In his opening remarks, Cuban Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jorge Lefebre Nicolás said that the sacrifice paid by Cuban soldiers at the battle became a strong foundation for the relations of brotherhood and solidarity between the people of Cuba and Ethiopia.
Mentioning that the diplomatic relations between Cuba and Ethiopia was established for decades ago while the former sent troops to the later during the Ethio-Somali war, to fight alongside the Ethiopian forces against the invading forces of Somalia, Amb Jorge said that this historic tie between the two sisterly countries have reached to the highest level, from military cooperation to a number of areas.
Amb. Jorge has also affirmed his government’s commitment to strengthen the longstanding ties of the two countries. The 45th anniversary of the Victory of Karamara, which was celebrated at the Ethiopia-Cuba Friendship Park at the capital, was attended by the diplomatic community, high government officials, veterans and residents of Addis.
The Cuban Government has been offering annual scholarships to Ethiopian students to study in Cuba. In 1984, the ‘Tiglachin Monument,’ was inaugurated in Addis Ababa as a memorial to the Ethiopian and Cuban soldiers involved.” The “Tiglachin Monument” was erected as a memorial to the Ethiopian and Cuban soldiers who took part in the defense of Ethiopian sovereignty.
The Ethiopian Herald March 7/2023
