Another Stolen Legacy: Ethiopian Victory of Adwa in the Eyes of Africans'

King Menelik II and Queen Taitu Btul

On this date in 1896, Ethiopia (led by King Menelik and Queen Taitu) defeated the Italian colonial army in the Battle of Adwa. This victory signaled the decline of European colonialism in Black Africa.

Today, here in Addis Ababa, we are celebrating the 120th anniversary of Adwa (The Battle of Adwa) - in commemorating our forefathers who definitively defeated Italian army in the Colonial Era and set us free from slavery. Saved our cultures, languages and heritages.

 In celebrating Adwa I have conducted a one minute interview with few African activists, young business peoples and vibrant volunteers 

around Africa about Adwa. In light of the vibrant participation of my target groups in African 

                integration and similar stuff: 

the result was quite shocking for me!

Until this moment, I have been waiting for the African Union news/press release in commemorating the  The Victory of Adwa which gave light to the road of independence movement and upraise of black people against colonial forces. I'm ashamed.

Friends at African Union, I recommend you to read the New Africa article here.

Also our Foreign Ministry shall work on this in reaching African young generation. It would as easy as to invite AU official on the event and to give a press release; as these officials audience are international - the news could get to every corner of Africa in minutes.

Adwa is black peoples victory and its celebration shall not be confined to Ethiopians only!!

" The victory had further significance for being the first crushing defeat of a European power by African forces during the colonial era."

Countries represented are Madagascar, Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cot d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Benin, Togo and The Gambia. Interviewees from 15 countries were asked the following four questions with some additional questions depending on their response.

1. Is there a history course in your country schools?

2. Does the course touch African History?

3. Do you know about The Battle of Adwa?

4. Do you know any independent African nation during colonialism?
----------------------------------------------//-------------//-------------------------------------------------------
1. Madagascar
1. History Course: not for primary but for secondary schools;
2. Course:  talks about Colonization in Africa
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: I don't know, we are taught only about the colonized nations.


2. Nigeria

1. History Course:at university and for some at high school level
2. Course:-----
3. Adwa: didn't take history at high school but at Cambridge A'levels and it was more European and international
4. Independent Nation: I don't know, but I know Ethiopians kicked out Italian in 1941.

3. Kenya:

1. History Course:Yes, from 3-4 grades
2. Course:Touches African history
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia. Ethiopian king kicked Italians in 1890's
5. How did you learn that/source: schools

4. Congo:

1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: Yes, in 4th secondary school, it is only African history
3. Adwa: Yes, it was between the Ethiopian Empire and the Italy
4. Independent Nation: The Ethiopia, the only African country which was not colonized;
5. How did you learn that/source: schools

5. Cameroon
1. History Course: Yes (from primary to university)
2. Course:Yes, touches African History
3. Adwa: Yes 1938, it was Italian and one Ethiopian king I forgot the name
4. How did you learn that/source: secondary schools
5. Independent Nation: Yes, Liberia
6. First African army defeated European: Yes,  Battle of Adwa

6. Ghana
1. History Course: Yes, from basic school
2. Course:Yes, touches African History
3. Adwa: No but I know empires like Axum and Kush
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia and Liberia
5. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading when l started covering Ethiopia as one of the project countries for the ILO

7. Zimbabwe
         A.
1. History Course: Yes, in  high schools for 2 years.
2. Course: It touches African and European history
3. Adwa: I don't know/remember
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: Combination of schools and personal reading
-----------------------------------------------
         B.                    1. History Course:Yes
                                 2. Course: doesn't touch African but European-  in 1985
                                 3. Adwa: I don't know
                                 4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
                                 5. How did you learn that/source: during my personal visit to Ethiopia

8. South Africa

1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: It is about world war and colonization, not the road to independence
3. Adwa: Yes,
4.. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading, from Raymond Jonas book
5. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia

Comment: South African school don't even teach the history of the liberation movements such as the African national congress (ANC) and the pan African congress (PAC).


9. Burkina Faso

1. History Course:Yes, at primary & secondary schools
2. Course:Yes, touch African history
3. Adwa: No I don't know
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: From schools and Ras Teferian Music

10. Guinea 
1. History Course:Yes
2. Course:Yes,
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: No
5. Which country get its independence first: Liberia, July 26, 1847. School course touches colonialism, independence movement...
6.  Does it touch about Ethiopia: Yes
7. What was it about:  Muluku suleyman


11. Cot d'Ivoire 
1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: Yes, touches African history
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation: No
5. Independence movement: during colonialism - I know after 1960 Senegal, Ivory-got independent

12. Benin
1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: I think so
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading

13. Tanzania
1. History Course:Yes, from primary, secondary and advanced
2. Course:Yes, even colonization and globalization
3. Adwa: No, I'm not sure. Is it from Ethiopia?
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia wasn't colonized, from Ethiopia we learn Menelik's and the fight of Italy... we learn even the pre-colonial trade routes

14. Togo

1. History Course:Yes, from the 3rd class of primary school to thé last on secondary school
2. Course: Yes, it touces
3. Adwa: Yes !about Menelik II and Italian army
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source:Schools

15. The Gambia
1. History Course:Yes but in Senior Secondary school and The University
2. Course:Yes
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation:Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: personal reading
6. Have you learn that in schools: No

My African Friends: 

here are some articles where you can find a lot more about Adwa and King Menelik

The Battle of Adwa: African Victory in the Age of Empire   Raymond Jonas "This is the story of a world turned upside down."
 
Ethiopian History: Battle of Adwa
Black Past: Battle of Adwa (Adowa), 1896
African American Registry: Ethiopia Wins The Battle of Adwa
Origins: When Ethiopia Stunned the World
Britanicca:The victory had further significance for being the first crushing defeat of a European power by African forces during the colonial era. 


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Call for Essays: The Africa Youth Day, Ethiopia 2014

Women account for about half of Africa’s talent base. As a group, they have been marginalised and their economic, social, political and environmental contributions go in large part unrealised, underutilized and undervalued. Poverty and HIV/AIDS still carry a female face. Women’ education is often sacrifice because of various socio-economic and cultural reasons and women are among the most affected by conflicts and violence. Empowering their participation in the community and the workforce greatly increases economic growth, reduces poverty, enhances societal well-being, and helps ensure sustainable development in all countries.

It is against this background that the African Union Heads of State and Government have dedicated next year, 2015, as the “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”. As a prelude to these celebrations, the African Union Commission is celebrating this year’s Africa Youth Day under the theme: Delivering on the Potential of Africa’s Young women.

Celebrated on the 1st of November, TheAfrican Youth Day aims to promote an increased recognition of youth as key agents for social change and economic growth in all aspects of African society. The event also aims to contribute and channel the youth motivation, energy and idealism to reinforce the efforts towards the achievement of a sustainable development in the Africa.

To open up this discourse, the African Union Commission invites young Africans to submit an essay of not more than 1500 words, which identifies and makes the case for policy measures to support the empowerment of young women. Entries are encouraged to be evidence-based, drawing on experiences of the writer or other individuals or institutions.

Finalists will be invited to celebrate the African Youth Day at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and engage with Ministers of Youth from across the continent. Winning essay shall be published and presented at various high level policy meetings in 2015.

Competition Rules:

1. The call is open from the 1st of October 2014 to the 20th of October 2014

2. The competition is open to young people (18-35) from African Union Member States.

3. Only one essay is allowed per entrant.

4. Essays should be submitted in any of the AU languages i.e. English, French, Portuguese and Arabic

5. Photographs and other illustrations that enhance the article are welcome, although these must be original to the author and be copyright free.

6. Submission should be made to essays@empoweryouth.today

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Ann Stroud Memorial Scholarship for Postgraduate Students

The Ann Stroud Memorial Scholarship was established to support young African researchers in stepping beyond disciplinary boundaries or professional standards that limit the ability of research to serve rural African communities.

This scholarship is for postgraduate students wishing to conduct their thesis research in collaboration with World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) scientists. The scholarship is tenable at any university in Eastern Africa (countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Rwanda). The upper limit for the support is USD 5,000 to cover field research and thesis production.

Eligibility

• Be a national of Eastern Africa involved in agroforestry research, education or development.
• Candidates must be 35 years of age or less.
• Be registered for a postgraduate degree at a recognized university (evidence required).
• Have completed or be close to completing coursework for the graduate degree for which s/he is registered.

Conditions

• It is assumed that candidates will have other grants to meet their tuition and other expenses related to the studies.
• The grant will be used to cover expenses arising from field research (including travel), laboratory analysis and thesis production.
• The thesis research will be jointly supervised by the university where the applicant is registered and ICRAF . Each institution will appoint a suitable senior scientist as supervisor.
• Supervisors will receive a travel grant (where justified) to meet once. The travel grant shall not exceed USD 1,500. This shall be additional to the USD 5,000 given to the student.
• Applicants will strictly abide by World Agroforestry Centre Policy Guidelines on Research Ethics.

Selection process

All applications should be sent to the address below. The selection process involves announcements, proposal review, and selection of grantees by a small panel of World Agroforestry Centre senior staff.

Requirements

1. Filled in an application form.
2. A letter of recommendation from employer/ institution.
3. A three-page concept note (relevant to the proposal guidelines criteria identified below).
4. Certified copies of certificates
5. Up-to-date CV
6. Two recent passport size photographs
7. Evidence of registration for a Masters Degree course

Proposal guidelines criteria

• Research derives from the expressed needs of poor farmers and resource users and in turn empowers them to make the decisions that matter to them.
• It should aim to achieve "triple wins" to livelihoods, equity, and the environment.
• Projects seek to enhance synergies between two or more disciplines (preferably linking the social and biophysical sciences), levels of analysis and intervention (from community level upwards), or strategies (technological, policy, social and/or market innovations).
• Work challenges the status quo in thinking, policy and/or practice.
• Projects incorporate action research and/or seek to address problems in innovative ways.

For more information and application click here


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Rift Valley Institute Field Courses 2012 - Horn of Africa, Sudan and South Sudan, Great Lakes – Apply now

Applications for the Rift Valley Institute 2012 annual field courses are open.

 [This is not a scholarship or fellowship, you are required to secure a fund for the courses by your own.]

The three courses offer an immersive, dawn-to-dusk programme of seminars, lectures and panel discussions, examining the historical, environmental and cultural features of specific subregions of Eastern and Central Africa. Taught by teams of leading international and regionally-based experts, they provide the basis for an understanding of current political and developmental challenges.

Great Lakes Course 

The Great Lakes Course covers Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The 2012 course focuses on the roots of conflict and challenges to institutional reform in the region. It will be held in Bujumbura, Burundi, from 7 to 13 July 2012. The application deadline is 30 April 2012.

Horn of Africa Course 

The Horn of Africa Course covers Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland and Northern Kenya. The 2012 course examines why the Horn remains the world’s most crisis-ridden region. It is held in the vicinity of Mombasa, on the Kenyan coast, from 16 to 22 June 2012. The application deadline is 16 April 2012.

Sudan and South Sudan Course

The course covers all areas of Sudan and South Sudan, with a special emphasis on the borderlands between the two countries. It is held in Rumbek, in Lakes State, South Sudan, from 26 May to 1 June 2012. The application deadline is 30 March 2012.

For more information about the courses, please see the attached course prospectus. Alternatively you can visit www.riftvalley.net/courses or write to courses@riftvalley.net.  You can apply online Here or via www.riftvalley.net. Applications will be considered in order of receipt. 

N.B. RVI monitors closely the security situation in the region and in specific course locations. Applicants will be kept advised of developments and courses will be relocated if necessary. 

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Sign The Petition "Vatican Apology for Complicities in the Ethiopian Genocide 1935-1941"

 Target: The Vatican

Region: Ethiopia

Web site: http://www.globalallianceforethiopia.org

Appeal to the international community...all Governments, the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, Amnesty International, non-governmental institutions, World Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, other regional organizations, and all people of right action and goodwill throughout the world to call upon the Vatican to acknowledge and apologize to Ethiopians for its complicity with the Fascists who perpetrated unspeakable war crimes against humanity in Ethiopia during the Fascist Italian occupation of that country from1935-1941. 

 Background (Preamble):

During its 1935-’41 occupation of Ethiopia, Fascist Italy, supported by the Vatican, committed the crime of genocide against the Ethiopian people with poisonous gas sprayed from airplanes and other horrific atrocities, while the Vatican remained “conspicuously silent.” 

Emperor Haile Selassie I, the King of Kings of Ethiopia, provided the following eyewitness account to the League of Nations on June 30, 1936; but sadly, His Majesty’s plea “fell upon deaf ears”: “A mechanism spraying yperite liquid was installed in the aircraft and it was arranged that a fine rain bringing death should descend over vast tracts of country. At one time, nine, fifteen or eighteen Italian aeroplanes were going to and fro bringing down an unceasing rain of yperite. From the end of January 1936 onwards, this death-dealing rain descended uninterruptedly upon our soldiers, upon women, children, cattle, streams, stagnant waters as well as pastures. The Italian army commander made the aeroplanes repeat this work of theirs, in order to extinguish completely all living creatures and to turn into poison the waters and grazing grounds. He made this the principal means of warfare. This work of cruelty, carried out with some finesse, annihilated people in places far removed from the battlefield and made their country into a desert. The plan was to spread terror and death over the greater part of Ethiopia. This most deplorable scheme was eventually accomplished. Man and beast perished completely. The deadly downpour that descended from the aircraft made anyone who touched it fly with torment. Those who drank the water upon which this poisonous rain had settled or ate the food which the poison had touched died in dreadful agony. The people who died as a result of the Italian yperite must be reckoned in many thousands (the reader is reminded that this observation was made at the onset of the aerial gassing campaign, in January 1936). It was to make known to the civilized world the torment inflicted upon the Ethiopian people that I decided to come to Geneva.” 

On May 5, 1941, the Ethiopian government reported that, “...provisional estimates of the slaughter of Ethiopians, from the evidence thus far investigated, is 760,000;” however, the report concluded that “these figures are not final," however, based on interviews with surviving Ethiopian Patriots, in Addis Ababa and America between 2000 and 2004, a more conservative estimate of Ethiopian causalities would be “no less than one million.” 

Despite the fact that the British Foreign Office formally established a War Crimes Commission in 1943, and the United Nations and the International World Court at the Hague were established in the United States in 1945, and the International Genocide Convention and the Declaration of Human Rights were adopted in 1948, each one of these international human rights organs and instruments excluded any mention of the genocide of the Ethiopian people; as such, no fascist Italian has ever been held accountable for war crimes against humanity in Ethiopia from 1935-1941, though this atrocity occurred within the same timeframe as the one that took place in Europe. 

In 1998, the UN celebrated its 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights in Rome by returning to the issue of international genocide and once again, the Ethiopian genocide of 1935-1941 was ignored. Mysteriously, the details of this horrific atrocity continue to be stricken from the annals of the world’s history books and United Nations genocide archives and related documents, until this very day. Such historical omissions make it appear as if the fascist genocide of the Ethiopian people never happened; consequently, justice for Ethiopia has remained “a fleeting illusion” for the past seventy-three years. 

Go to petition home page 

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