For many years, we Ethiopians have celebrated the anniversaries
for the nation’s fallen heroes and innocent civilian who were massacred during
the Italian occupation of 1935- 1941, and in particular the 19th of February
1937 was a faithful day. Within few days, Fascist massacre of several thousand Ethiopians
in Addis Ababa. The nation chose 19th February as a public Holiday to pay respect
and have commemorative ceremony in town and cities all over Ethiopia. This
ceremony tradition continued in the Ethiopian Diaspora community. Last year as
part of commemoration, the Global Alliance for Justice organized Global Public
Protest Against newly erected the Graziani Mausoleum at Affile, south of Rome.
Similarly several civic organizations also urging to support the protest and to
commemorate this date where ever we are. The result was successful; it is
expected to be the same or better this year.
In this article, the story of 1935 Italy Fascist aggression
in Ethiopia is not described in great detail., But, as we commemorate the 19th
February 1937 horrific day a brief
history of event must be share to help us to connect to the great spirit of
resistance in Ethiopia, and to recognize the significance of sacrifices made by
our patriots .
Brief overview of Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia:
During the 1935 period, Italy was one of emerging imperial
powers in Europe. Mussolini was on power and he was increasingly stressed by
the demands of maintaining Italy’s colonial empire through bloated military
resources. In 1935 he deployed military forces to invade Ethiopia for expansion
of colonial territories in Africa. The main reasons for the invasion were, to
avenge, to have a source of raw materials, to exploit free labor, etc...
Mussolini didn't seem to understand that the Italians aggression was defeated
by Ethiopian Patriots in the battle of Adowa in 1896. The first African nation
marked a humiliating defeat to European colonizers. Since then, no foreign
intruder has ever prevailed over Ethiopia.
On October 1935, Mussolini ordered his Generals to invade
Ethiopia from two fronts. One of his Genera’sl army was invading from Eritrea,
the northern front. The second General Rodolfo Graziani army was also invading
from Italian Somaliland, the "southern front". In addition to its own
army, Italy had recruited regiments from the colonial possessions of Eritrea,
Somalia, and Libya. The northern front advanced and occupied holy city of Axum.
The invading army looted many artifacts including the Obelisk of Axum.
Similarly, the southern front began advancing toward capital city of Addis
Ababa facing some resistance on its way. Interestingly, the Ethiopian offensive
included killing of downed Italian pilot Tito Minniti. It is unfortunate that
the Ethiopians force cannot sustain the offensive due to the sophisticated weapons
and the use of poison gas by Italian Air Forces. The brutal bombing throughout
the country resulted to death of
thousands innocent Ethiopians civilians including demolishing of a field
hospital run by the Swedish Red Cross.
The European great power neither Britain nor France not
interested to intervene as Mussolini troops marched deep into Ethiopia. After
the Italian war machine broke all defense line from both fronts, Italy occupied
the capital city Addis Ababa. The notorious General Graziani was installed as a
ruler. After seeing the atrocities by Italian army, our patriots started
guerrilla warfare, and continued their fight to liberate Ethiopia. By early May
1936, the Emperor had left the country and lived in exile in hope to get the
International support. On June 30, 1936, the Emperor gave a remarkable speech
before the League of Nations pleading to free Ethiopia from Italian invasion.
Although Ethiopia was a member of the League, the League has done nothing to
counter the Italian aggression. Nevertheless, the resistance by patriots
continued.
The 19th of February 1937 EC (Yekatit 12, 1929 G.C) an
unsuccessful attempt was made to assassinate the Italian military commander
General R. Graziani by young two Ethiopians (Eritrean origin) by the name of
Moges Asgedom and Abriha Debotch. The failure unleashed a reign of terror on
city of Addis Ababa residents. A book entitled “Plot to kill Graziani” written
by Ian Campbell, page 2 states Italian Fascist massacred scene as follows:
“……… it was the dark face of Fascism that the people of
Addis Ababa saw that day, for although within moments it was clear that the
crowd of beggars, many aged and blind, posed no threat, they were cut down en
masse with machine-gun fires. There then followed throughout the city orgy of
murder, bloodlust and mayhem on the part of Blackshirts and Fascist civilians
that did not abate for several days, and was so devastating that to this day
the dead have never been counted.”
In spite of the massacre thousands of Ethiopians, and
without any effective allies from International communities, the guerrilla
patriots increased the resistance and fought the Italians with antiquated weapons
aggressively for five years. During this period WWII war broke out. Britain
along their allies declared war on Nazi Germany, and later with Italy. As part
of overall war strategy against Italy, the British decided to move behind the
Ethiopian Patriots to push the Italians forces from Ethiopia. In 1941EC the
Italy armies surrender, and our country independence restored. In summary, the
attempt to colonize Ethiopia failed disastrously. The Italian military
supremacy certainly did not break the will of the patriotic warriors. We must
continue to honor and respect this important day. , Without these brave men and
women sacrifices, THERE WOULD BE NO ETHIOPIA today. We owe them to be a united
citizen to build a better Ethiopia. This year anniversary mark 77th years since
the horror and tragedy occurred.
By Ewnetu Sime
