March 3, 2022
3 mins read

Ethiopians mark Victory Day

Ethiopians on Wednesday celebrated the 126th anniversary of Ethiopia’s victory of Adwa, which marked the East African country’s victory against a colonial power some 126 years ago…reports Asian Lite News

While marking the Victory Day Wednesday, Ethiopians from all walks of life called for replicating similar victory against what they referred to as “unwanted foreign interference.”

The Battle of Adwa on March 2, 1896, which is also referred to as the first Ethiopian-Italian war, marks the first black victory against the invading colonial forces of Italy in the African continent.

The war, which was largely fought in the Adwa mountains some 977 km north of Addis Ababa, the capital, is believed to have initiated other freedom fighters across the African continent to struggle toward independence and freedom against colonialism.

This year’s Adwa Victory celebration came as the East African country faced internal conflict between the government and rebel forces in the northern parts of Ethiopia. The conflict resulted in strong foreign interference.

Ethiopians mark Victory Day

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his congratulatory message, said the Victory of Adwa is a bright monument that has taught the harsh consequences of trying to pose threats on Ethiopia.

“We are fortunate to be able to celebrate the Victory of Adwa where our brave mothers and fathers have registered great triumph by rejecting colonialism and slavery as well as inferiority and humiliation,” Ahmed said. “The Victory of Adwa had laid a solid foundation for peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America to break the yoke of slavery, the burden of colonialism and inferiority policy.”

This year’s Victory Day was celebrated across Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most-populous nation.

In Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, a high-level event marked the 126th anniversary with the presence of senior Ethiopian government officials, elders, diplomats and representatives of foreign countries, among others.

While addressing a commemorative event held in the capital, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde called on Ethiopians to stand together and strive for national peace and development.

“We must learn from the victory of Adwa that nothing will stop us if we stand together,” she said. “We have shown that nothing can stop us from working together to make Ethiopia a better place. Once again, on this day, I call upon all the people in Ethiopia to repeat the victory we gained in Adwa to defeat backwardness and misery in the country.”

ALSO READ: Sudan rejects Ethiopia’s power generation from disputed dam

Henok Alene, 57, was one of the tens of thousands of Ethiopians attending the commemorative event held at Emperor Menelik II Square in Addis Ababa.

Alene called on the current generation to draw inspiration from the forefathers toward replicating a similar momentous victory against the surge of foreign interference in Ethiopia.

“The past year witnessed incessant foreign interference and pressure on our country. We, as sons and daughters of our forefathers, should maintain unrelenting gesture to those who have a destructive agenda against our country,” Alene told Xinhua.

Smrawit Solomon, 25, echoed a similar sentiment as she emphasized that Ethiopia, as the only not colonized African country, should keep its aspirations high against all odds.

“Unlike any other country, we Ethiopians celebrate Victory Day not an independence day; and now we should remain strong enough to bring our country into a development path that suits our aspiration,” she said. 

Previous Story

Global Covid caseload tops 440 mn

Next Story

Russia, Ukraine to hold 2nd round of talks

Latest from -Top News

UN urges restraint in Pak-Afghan clashes

Bennett’s statement came after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that 12 Afghan civilians were killed and over 100 others injured in recent attacks…reports Asian Lite News UN Special Rapporteur on human rights

Pakistan-Afghanistan border Attack kills 12

Mujahid said that multiple Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory action by Afghan forces…reports Asian Lite News At least 12 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a Pakistani military

India, UK military conduct joint exercise

The exercise also reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and the United Kingdom towards maintaining regional peace, security, and stability. The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a joint exercise with the United

16 dead in Dhaka factory fire

The death toll in the blaze is likely to rise, warned another fire official, who did not want to be named….reports Asian Lite News At least 16 people have died after a

India wins unopposed seat on UNHRC

India last served on the HRC in 2024, completing a second consecutive term….reports Asian Lite News India has been elected unopposed to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the seventh time,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Biden to call for African Union to permanently join G20

Host Indonesia invited Sall to take part in the latest

Covid cases in Africa drops for first time since 4th wave

Weekly Covid-19 cases in Africa have dropped significantly and deaths