Ethiopians celebrate 124th anniversary of Adwa victory

Addis Ababa, March 2, 2020 (FBC) –Ethiopians have celebrated the 124th anniversary of Adwa, a historic victory of Ethiopian forces over Italian forces.

Gun salutes are held early this morning. Adwa is annually commemorated as an iconic victory in Ethiopia.

The 124th anniversary event took place in the town of Adwa, Tigray regional state, in particular in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde.

The event was also attended by Deputy Chief Administrator of Tigray, Dr Debretsion Gebremichael, Speaker of the House of Federation, Keria Ibrahim and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hirut Kassaw, among others.

In her remark, the President said the victory of Adwa is a demonstration that Ethiopians would not compromise at any time on their sovereignty, rights and freedom.

The President also called on Ethiopians to stand united for peace and to pull the country out of poverty.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed yesterday extended congratulations to all Ethiopians on the occasion of the anniversary of the victory of Adwa.

“The victory of Adwa is a huge resource that we can use it in our journey towards prosperity,” he said.

“The victory of Adwa is not only a national victory. It is a victory that re-initiated the birth of Africa’s freedom. This hard-fought freedom shows how we can make the future of Africa positive in cooperation.”

The battle of Adwa in 1896 is known in history as a symbolic pageantry of African resistance where the Ethiopian army won against a highly trained European colonial invader, Italy.

The victory later became an emblem of the struggle for decolonization in Africa.