Ethiopia celebrates its victory over fascist Mussolini
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Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ethiopia celebrates victory against Italian invasion
APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia is observing on Monday the anniversary of its victory against the forces of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini who tried to colonize the country 67 years ago.
The country is marking the Patriots’ Victory Day with calls to Ethiopian youth to take lessons from the country’s history and safeguard it against any invasion.
“You, the youth have a lot to do in bringing development to this country. We have given you an independent country after the struggle against the Italian invasion. Now, is your turn to bring victory against hunger and poverty,” Mekuria Tsegaye, 82, told APA.
He said Ethiopians and Africans as a whole have a lot to do in development activities beyond safeguarding their countries.
“We died and were wounded protecting this country from colonialism. That is why we are proud today to commemorate the victory against fascists,” he said.
He said the Patriots’ Victory Day commemorates the struggle of the ancient patriots in maintaining the sovereignty of the country.
He said the present generation is responsible for maintaining the culture and history of the country and bringing about rapid development.
The president of the Association for Ancient Ethiopian Patriots, Astatke Abate, told journalists that various events, including a photo exhibition about the struggle against the fascist Italians and a symposium, have been organized in the capital Addis Ababa to mark the day.
He urged the youth to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, which poses a great challenge for the youth.
Ethiopia is the only African country that was not colonized during the colonial era in the 1930s and 1940s.