Victory of Karamara Ensured Ethiopia’s Sovereignty against Somali Invaders: MoFA

March 5/2021(ENA) The victory of Ethiopia's army over the invading Somali army at the Battle of Karamara in 1978 ascertained once again the sovereignty of Ethiopia, South America and Caribbean Countries Affairs Director at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.

The 43rd anniversary of the victory was celebrated at Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park in the presence of Cuba's ambassador and invited guests today.

The Somali invasion led by the then president Siad Barre united Ethiopia to mobilize hundreds of thousands militia forces to fight back the aggression.

 The Government of Cuba supported Ethiopia by providing additional troops that defeated the invading army and captured all of the areas that were occupied by the Somali army on the 5^th of March, 1978.  

Speaking during the occasion at Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park here in the capital, South America and Caribbean Countries Affairs Director Bekuma Merdassa said the Victory of Karamara is  remarkable day when Ethiopia reinstated its borders and ascertained its sovereignty.

Ethiopians sacrificed their lives and successfully defended their country's sovereignty from   invaders, he underscored.

“Ethiopians from all corners of the country marched to defend the country from the invading army of Siad Barre of Somalia. Those are heroes who defended and maintained territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the director pointed out.  

He noted that Cuba is one of the few countries that stood alongside Ethiopia to repulse the belligerent Government of Somalia. Ethiopia always remembers the sacrifices paid by Cuban solders.

"The diplomatic relationship of our countries is cemented by blood. We Ethiopians and Cubans will work and stand together forever, " the director stressed.

Cuba's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Vilma Thomas said on her part that Victory of Karamara is also part of Cuban history as thousands of Cuban internationalist fighters participated in the battle along with Ethiopian solders.

She added that alongside Ethiopian martyrs, there were 163 Cubans that shed their lives for Ethiopia during the war to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ethiopia.

The over 40 years long spirit of solidarity between Ethiopia and Cuba enabled today to continue and foster bilateral friendship between the two countries, Thomas pointed out.

“Cuba and Ethiopia have great challenges ahead today in the effort to build a more just society for present and future generations. The spirit of solidarity and friendship that brought us together more than 40 years ago continues today, fostering our bilateral friendship and willingness to expand and strengthen our cooperation and mutual support,” she underlined.

The battle to repulse the Somali aggression took place between July 1977 and March 1978.