PM ANWAR TOURS ETHIOPIA’S ADWA VICTORY MEMORIAL

By M. Saraswathi

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is in Ethiopia’s capital, had a guided tour of the country’s national landmark, the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, on the second day of his official visit.

On his arrival at the museum, the Prime Minister was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Gedion Timothewos, and the Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie.

Anwar also inspected a guard of honour at Adwa Square, after which Gedion and Adanech accompanied him on a tour of the museum.

According to the museum’s website, the Battle of Adwa, fought on March 1, 1896, was a historic clash between the Ethiopian Empire, led by Emperor Menelik II, and the Kingdom of Italy, under General Oreste Baratieri.

Taking place near the town of Adwa in northern Ethiopia, the battle marked a decisive Ethiopian victory and a major turning point in African history.

The victory preserved the country’s sovereignty and made Ethiopia the only African nation to successfully resist European colonisation during the ‘Scramble for Africa’ period. 

The triumph at Adwa inspired anti-colonial movements across the continent and remains a powerful symbol of African resistance and pride.

The museum, therefore, celebrates not just a military triumph but a story of diplomacy, courage, unity, and national pride, it said, adding that in the first 11 months of 2025 alone, there have been over 189,000 domestic and international tourists. 

Also present during the visit were Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Malaysian Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin and Embassy of Malaysia in Ethiopia Chargé d'Affaires (Ad Interim) Mohd Afandi Abu Bakar.

Anwar’s three-day visit to the “Horn of Africa”, the first for a Malaysian Prime Minister, began on Nov 18, and reciprocates Ethiopia Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali’s visit to Malaysia in October last year.

The visit also celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in January 1965.

Meanwhile, Anwar described the museum as “truly remarkable”, noting that it preserves a wide array of historical artefacts and paintings that detail the bravery, dignity and resilience of the Ethiopian people in resisting Italian imperial forces during the Battle of Adwa. 

“It is not only a landmark of the achievements of the Ethiopian people and army, but also a strong symbol of resistance against imperialism directed at the African continent.

“The victory at Adwa served as a clear sign of inspiration, providing confidence and a source of strength to subsequent independence movements that spread widely across Africa,” he said in a statement.

The Prime Minister also saluted Ethiopia for its steadfast commitment to promoting and preserving historical and cultural values, demonstrating a serious and robust dedication to world heritage.

-- BERNAMA