Adwa Victory Inspired Africa’s Struggle for Freedom, Says UNESCO Peace Center Chief

​​​​​​Addis Ababa, March 1, 2026 (ENA)— The Victory of Adwa stands as a historic milestone that not only secured Ethiopia’s sovereignty but ignited hope across Africa, the head of the UNESCO Peace Center has said.

Guy Djoken, Executive Director of the UNESCO Center for Peace and Chairman of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations Working Group, said the triumph resonates far beyond Ethiopia’s borders.

Speaking to ENA on the 130th anniversary of the historic battle, he described Adwa as a shared legacy for people of African descent worldwide and a defining symbol of unity and sovereignty.

 In 1896, Ethiopian forces led by Emperor Menelik II defeated the invading army of the Kingdom of Italy at the Battle of Adwa, preserving the nation’s independence at a time when much of Africa had fallen under colonial rule.

 The victory overturned the prevailing belief in European military supremacy and marked a watershed moment in African history.

 “The Victory of Adwa is a victory of the entire black people,” Djoken said. “Ethiopians united in spirit to defend the sovereignty of their country, and in doing so, they brought hope to Africans everywhere.”

 Reflecting on Ethiopia’s singular place in the era known as the Scramble for Africa, Djoken noted that the country remains the only African nation to have decisively defeated a colonial power during that period.

 “Not a single African participated in the Berlin Conference,” he said, referring to the 1884 to 1885 meeting where European powers partitioned the continent.

 “When they came to take their share, I am very proud that Ethiopia was able to defeat the fascist Italian government. For me, this victory is a sign of hope.”

 Djoken also linked Ethiopia’s historic stand at Adwa to the decision to establish the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

 “The founding of the African Union in Addis Ababa was not a coincidence,” he said. “It was the result of Ethiopia’s historical legacy and its contribution to the idea of Pan Africanism.”

 Beyond its historic military success, he emphasized Ethiopia’s continued role in promoting continental cooperation and development.

“Africa has natural resources and a lot of human resources. This is the time of Africa’s resurrection,” Djoken said. “We must make the young generation know that the African continent wants all its children. It is a continent with a lot of resources that can also determine the future of the world.”

 He stressed that global powers are increasingly turning their attention to Africa because of its strategic importance and potential.

“The future of the world is here. All these major powers are trying to have a place in Africa. But we, children of Africa, sometimes we do not realize that. If they all want to come here, it is because the future of the world is here,” he said.

 Describing Ethiopia as a beacon of renewal, Djoken said the country continues to embody the spirit of Adwa more than a century later.

 “Ethiopians deserve the title of symbol of African development because they are truly the role models of Africa,” he said. “For me, Ethiopia is one of the symbols of renewed hope for Africa.”