President Taye Calls on Patriot Elites to Hold High the Torch of Sacrifice, Realize Ethiopia's Vision

Addis Ababa, 19 February 2026 — President Taye Atske Selassie said patriot elites should hold high the torch of sacrifice and march forward to realize Ethiopia's vision.

In a message he issued in connection with the observance of the 89th Yekatit 12 Ethiopian Martyrs' Day today, the President noted that the commemoration is a testament to the enduring truth that loving and cherishing Ethiopia, as well as dedicating oneself to the nation, remains an inextinguishable furnace of thought and an unquenchable warmth of spirit.

According to him, committing oneself to a grand national vision is a cherished tradition in Ethiopia.

The love for Ethiopia, which is evident in the present generation as well, is a vital force and a continuous call to action, he added.

President Taye finally urged the current generation to carry forward the torch of sacrifice from the past, embracing wisdom and a strong work ethic to elevate the grand Ethiopian vision and national aspirations.

Yekatit 12, which falls on February 19 in the Gregorian calendar, marks one of the darkest chapters in Ethiopia’s modern history. On this day in 1937, thousands of innocent civilians in Addis Ababa were massacred in a brutal three-day reprisal carried out by Fascist occupation forces following an assassination attempt against their colonial administrators.

The atrocity, remembered as “Yekatit 12” in the Ethiopian calendar, targeted intellectuals, clergy, civil servants, and ordinary residents, leaving deep scars on the nation’s collective memory and symbolizing the heavy price paid in defense of sovereignty and dignity.

Observed annually as Ethiopian Martyrs’ Day, Yekatit 12 stands as a solemn reminder of the resilience and unity that ultimately fueled the country’s resistance against Fascist occupation.

Memorial ceremonies are held at the Yekatit 12 Monument in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country to honor the fallen patriots and civilians who sacrificed their lives.

The day not only commemorates the victims of the massacre but also reinforces Ethiopia’s enduring commitment to independence, national pride, and the preservation of historical memory for future generations.