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03-03-16 Ethiopians
have a long history of unity in diversity although the ruling regimes and some
foreign countries attempted to divide them for various vested interests. Political
analysts emphasized that Ethiopians have an intertwined culture and
coexistence; helping one another irrespective of religion, ethnic and the like.
Minister
of Government Communication Affairs Office Getachew Reda in a panel discussion held at Elilay
hotel confirmed this fact. He said that the victory of Adwa is the symbol of
unity, pride and freedom for all nations, nationalities and people’s of
Ethiopia. It also symbolizes the inspiration of the black people across the
world in addition to its role of unity and pride for
the Ethiopians. “The sense of diversity and unity in the battle of Adwa is an
exemplary to reinforce the current efforts exerted to realize the renaissance of
the country,” he added. The glorious victory of Adwa, of course, was a good indication and
witness that Ethiopians give no priority other than their motherlands
sovereignty. The battle in Adwa was the battle conducted coming together all
nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. Available historical documents show that there were estimated
Ethiopian forces under
the command of Minilik II. Though there are some
differences from document to document the number of Ethiopians who engaged in
that battle was estimated more than 73,000.
The
documents also indicate that the forces were divided among Emperor Menelik, Empress Taytu Betul, Ras Wale Betul, Ras Mengesha
Atikem, Ras Mengesha Yohannes, Ras Alula Engida,
Ras Mikael of Wollo, Ras Makonnen
Wolde Mikael, Fitawrari Gebeyyehu, and Negus Tekle Haymanot Tessemma. All
of them, however, were not armed with modern weapons but traditional
instruments like swords, sticks, arrows, stones and of course a few old guns
unlike the opponents who were armed from teeth to toes with modern
weapons. But there was unity,
determination and unity among the Ethiopians. Content
Enrichment, Distribution Directorate Director General, Yonas
Asenake, while presenting a research paper on the
victory of Adwa emphasized that that day opens a new phase of history and
bestows the spirit of freedom for Ethiopians at all. The
Ethiopian heroes defeated the Italian well armed army witnessing the heroism of
Ethiopian forefathers. According to Yonas there are similarities between the two victories:
Adwa and May 28. The
battle of Adwa was conducted by the cooperative efforts of the Ethiopian
nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. The same is true to the
seventeen years fight against the rogue military regime in Ethiopia. According
to Yonas, the current generation could learn lessons
from the glorious victories of Adwa and May 28 and the youth have to work
industriously so as not only to defeat poverty but also to secure the peace and
stability of their country as well as their region using the deeds of their
fathers and forefathers. The youth have to learn from
historical documents that Ethiopians had been exerting to defend their country
from conquerors particularly from these victories. Available documents indicate that the
Italian army comprised four brigades totaling 17,978 troops, with fifty-six
artillery pieces. Imagine this number of
well armed forces fought against the Ethiopian people who had no modern weapons
at all. But the Italians suffered about
7,000 killed and 1,500 wounded in the battle and subsequent retreat back into
Eritrea, having left more than 3,000 prisoners. However, the Ethiopian losses were
estimated at around 4,000 killed and 8,000 wounded. Another similarity according to Yonas is the fact that following the two victories the
international diplomacy of Ethiopia was improved. After the Adwa victory over
Italy in 1896, Ethiopia acquired a special importance in the eyes of Africans
as the only surviving African State. It also became emblematic of African
valor and resistance, the bastion of prestige and hope not only to all Africans
but also other black people who were experiencing the full shock of European
conquest and were beginning to search for an answer to the myth of whites’
superiority. Following that historical and
glorious victory, there was lack of skilled manpower to maintain that unity and
engaged them in economic development. As a result, the two regimes succeeding MiniliK II: the emperor and the military junta respectively
failed consolidate efforts towards unity rather run a tyranny administration
that deprived nations, nationalities and peoples of their equal rights in their
country. However, May 28, a significant
victory over the military junta, has been accompanied by the economic
development and peace and stability of the country. The past twenty four years witnessed
this very fact. Ethiopians have strengthened their unison and working
industriously to realize the renaissance of Ethiopia. That is why Minister Getachew Reda emphasized that the
current generation should learn from those victories and should effectively
work, being hand in glove, so as to alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable
economic growth in line with maintaining the country’s peace and stability
having learnt a lesson from the tales of the two victories. |