The noble sacrifice Ethiopian martyrs paid to freedom and sovereignty could only be enshrined by the current generation’s commitment to peace and development, Addis Ababa Mayor said.
Delivering a speech at the 87th Anniversary of Martyr’s Day yesterday, Mayor Adanech Abiebie stated that the martyr’s sacrifice will get a proper place when today’s generation becomes a patriot of peace and development.
The mayor also said that many forefathers and mothers gave their blood and bones to enable Ethiopia to get its today shape, emphasizing the need to stand together for unity and development to return the patriots’ favor. “Our predecessors stood together and made us live today with freedom and pride. The new generation should continue this great history by repeating it through development and togetherness.”
According to her, February is the month when many lives were sacrificed for Ethiopia and a victory was achieved that could proclaim equality and freedom on the world stage. “Based on this, it is important to make new history by building up the values that connect yesterday with today, today with tomorrow.”
It is necessary to enrich the country through development so that the pride and freedom that the current generation has gained through the struggle of forefathers and mothers can be complete. In addition, they said that it is appropriate to leave a mark that can be remembered tomorrow, the mayor emphasized.
For his part, Ethiopian Patriots Association President Lij Daniel Jote Mesfin the commemoration of the martyrs’ day is not to prepare for revenge by remembering past wounds. The next generation should be able to continue Ethiopia through development and solidarity by following the wishes of fallen heroes.
Lij Daniel pointed out that it is expected of all to inform the new generation about the historical background of the commemoration as well as the reason for the victory.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald at the venue, the Patriot Seyoum Tekelbirhan called on parents to educate the youth in order to ensure lasting peace and development in the country. Ethiopia has blessed with immense resources while its historical enemies have been working tirelessly to deter its attempts to prosper.
“Therefore, Ethiopians should focus on encouraging unity and peace to make their country a respectable member of the international community.”
The 87th Anniversary of Martyr’s Day was commemorated in the presence of patriots, senior government officials, representatives of various international and regional organizations.
The Martyr’s Day commemorates the Italian Fascist forces’ indiscriminate massacring of over 30,000 civilians in Addis Ababa in February 20, 1937 to avenge an assassination attempt by two Ethiopian patriots Abreham Doboch and Moges Asgedom on the Italian Viceroy Rodolfo Graziani.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2024