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This week, one hundred and twenty-five years ago, Ethiopians displayed unparalleled courage in Adwa to achieve a momentous victory that dealt a humiliating blow to European colonialists and inspired blacks around the world to hold their heads high. The 1896 Victoria Adwa personifies the courage, perseverance and sacrifice of our ancestors. Although the invading Italian army was armed to the teeth with modern weapons, artillery, and other weaponry, the Ethiopian forces arrayed against it from all corners of the country had nothing but outdated weapons and an unwavering love for the country. Bound by a bond of unity, they paid the ultimate price to defeat the enemy. Our intrepid ancestors accomplished the most unlikely of feats despite the unspeakable suffering they were subjected to at the hands of then-leaders because they were fiercely protective of their country and placed their sovereignty above all else. Ethiopians today can never forget this patriotism when we commemorate Victoria Adwa.
As we celebrate the unprecedented victory of the blacks over a European power in Adwa, it is worth drawing attention to some of its ramifications. It dispelled the notion of white supremacy perpetuated by European colonialists and became a unifying cause for anti-colonial struggles in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He also laid a solid foundation for the pan-African movement and played a vital role in convincing Africans to choose Ethiopia as the headquarters of the former Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. It further increased Ethiopia’s position on the world stage, thus granting it the right to be a founding member of the League of Nations and the United Nations. This is not an ornament; in fact, it is something that the world has already recognized to which it has paid tribute.
Sadly, the way this year’s victory was enshrined in Addis Ababa has to say the least that it has been controversial. In a departure from the usual celebrations, the victory was observed in two separate events in Menelik II and Meskel squares. While there is nothing wrong with this, the absence of any overt display of Emperor Menelik II, the leader of the Ethiopian forces who inflicted the crushing defeat on the Italian colonial army, and the advancement of a competitive narrative during the commemoration of the Plaza Meskel has left many puzzled and disappointed by what they see as a deliberate snub of Menelik’s role in the victory and an attack on a feat that should serve as a unifying symbol. Although this may not be the intention of the commemoration organizers, they should have anticipated that the omission would provoke such a reaction.
It is truly impossible to believe that our brave ancestors defeated an enemy with far superior firepower in a war that no one gave them a chance to win. They put aside their differences and came together to defend the sovereignty of their beloved homeland. But how much do Ethiopians really love their country today? How willing are they to pay the sacrifices that are asked of them? How many are genuinely committed to improving the lot of the country and its fellow citizens rather than promoting power or promoting personal interests? These are some of the issues that should be the subject of serious deliberation. These days, mistakes abound that undermine national unity thanks to the tendency to judge the past harshly in hindsight and see it through the prism of the present. Unfortunately, some compatriots, unable to appreciate the indispensable role that the deep sense of patriotism of their fellow citizens played in forging the strong bond between them, are underestimating the contribution of the protagonists of Victoria Adwa. Yet the sacrifices of selfless Ethiopians cannot be denied or belittled. After all, the fact that Ethiopia has never been colonized is an enduring testament to its achievements.
The Victoria Adwa is a timeless feat accomplished by Ethiopians from all walks of life and their rulers alike in defense of a holy cause: the sovereignty of the country and its people. Therefore, it is up to politicians, public servants, academics and, in particular, the leadership of the Party of Prosperity to emulate such a show of commitment and patriotism. Similarly, they must remind themselves that a country that is emblematic of the black freedom movement and that is striving to free itself from democracy must not relegate the democratization process to the background. They must ask themselves why a nation that has long served as a beacon of freedom and has seen impressive growth on the economic front is now the target of perennial criticism when it comes to respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
Adwa’s victory is an enduring legacy of deep sacrifice that unequivocally demonstrated Ethiopians’ passionate desire for independence; it is an expression of freedom, honor and what defines them as a people. As the current generation marks the 125th anniversary of victory, they must pay tribute to the sacrifice paid in blood, sweat and tears to secure freedom. Ethiopians can continue to be truly proud of this brilliant victory if and only when democracy takes root through peaceful and civilized means and becomes the norm. Lest the price paid during the Battle of Adwa be in vain and inspire the establishment of a democratic order anchored in the free expression of the will of the people, victory must be celebrated in an atmosphere that fosters unity and harmony. Any attempt to exploit it for political mileage and thus undermine its value as a unifying national symbol must be unequivocally rejected.
