Int’l Delegates Tour Ethiopia’s National Palace, Adwa Victory Memorial Following PI-SF

Addis Ababa, July 12, 2026 (ENA) —International delegates attending the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) in Addis Ababa toured Ethiopia’s National Palace and the Adwa Victory Memorial as part of the forum’s official post-conference program.

The delegates told media that they have gained firsthand insight into the country’s rich history, statehood, and institutional evolution.

The visit was organized to give participants a deeper appreciation of Ethiopia’s historical legacy, diplomatic heritage, and governance journey, complementing the forum’s discussions on democratic oversight, security cooperation, and Africa’s evolving security architecture.

At the National Palace, delegates explored exhibitions showcasing Ethiopia’s ancient civilization, centuries-old diplomatic traditions, and the palace’s pivotal role in the country’s political and institutional development from the imperial era to the present day.

 

Following the tour, participants described the National Palace as a living symbol of Ethiopia’s enduring civilization and Africa’s longstanding diplomatic heritage.

They said the experience provided valuable context for understanding Ethiopia’s historic contributions to regional peace, state-building, and continental cooperation.

 

The delegates also visited the Adwa Victory Memorial, where they toured galleries featuring historical artifacts, archival documents, photographs, and interactive digital exhibitions chronicling the Victory of Adwa.

Museum guides provided detailed briefings on Ethiopia’s history of defending its sovereignty and the global significance of the 1896 Battle of Adwa.

Participants described the Victory of Adwa as a defining symbol of African courage, unity, resilience, and resistance against colonialism.

They noted that Ethiopia’s successful defense of its independence more than 130 years ago became an enduring source of inspiration for anti-colonial movements and the broader struggle for freedom across Africa and beyond.

The visitors further praised the Adwa Victory Memorial as more than a museum, describing it as a center of history, culture, and national memory that projects a vision of dignity, resilience, and hope for Ethiopia, Africa, and the wider world.

 

They also commended the memorial’s modern design and the effective use of digital technology to preserve, interpret, and present historical artifacts, noting that these innovations make Ethiopia’s rich heritage more accessible to younger generations and international visitors alike.

The delegates likewise applauded Ethiopia’s ongoing institutional modernization, particularly its expanding application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

According to participants, these initiatives complement broader continental efforts to strengthen governance, innovation, collective security, and regional integration.

Several delegates observed that the visits provided a practical understanding of Ethiopia’s strategic commitment to peace, continental integration, institutional resilience, and technological advancement—priorities that closely align with the objectives of the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum.

Held in Addis Ababa from July 10–11, 2026, under the theme "Strengthening Democratic Oversight and Security Cooperation for Africa’s Security Architecture," the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum brought together parliamentarians, intelligence and security leaders, cybersecurity experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

 

Hosted by Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives, the high-level forum served as a platform for advancing democratic accountability, intelligence governance, cybersecurity cooperation, and coordinated responses to emerging regional and global security challenges.

Ethiopia was selected to host the international gathering in recognition of its strategic diplomatic role in advancing Africa’s peace and security agenda, as well as its growing leadership in digital transformation, technology governance, and regional cooperation.

 

By hosting the forum, Ethiopia also became only the second African country, after Kenya, to welcome the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum, reinforcing its expanding role in shaping continental dialogue on governance, security, innovation, and sustainable development.