Addis Ababa, January 26, 2025 (FMC) – In a recent interview with Fana Media Corporation (FMC), renowned Pan-Africanist Women’s Rights Advocate, Zemdena Abebe, lauded Ethiopia’s pivotal role in the Pan-African movement and the country’s unwavering commitment to African unity.
According to Zemdena, Ethiopia has emerged as a beacon of hope for Africa due to its significant contributions to the Pan-African movement. She pointed out that Ethiopia’s forefathers and foremothers played a crucial role in fighting for African unity, inspiring people of African descent both within the continent and the diaspora.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s historical trajectory, Zemdena cited the Victory of Adwa against the Fascist Italy as a prime example of the country’s resistance against external aggression, demonstrating its commitment to African people’s resistance. She noted that Ethiopia has consistently situated itself at the center of Pan-Africanism, advocating for African causes on both continental and international platforms.
Ethiopia’s contribution to the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), was also emphasized by Zemdena. She pointed out that the country helped bridge ideological disparities between the Casablanca Group and the Monrovia Group, paving the way for the founding of the continental organization she said striving for a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
Zemdena also drew attention to the city’s streets, named after various African countries, as a testament to Ethiopia’s commitment to Pan-Africanism. According to her, Pan-Africanism is not only a social, political, and economic movement but also a lifestyle and a cultural expression, aimed at fostering African solidarity and brotherhood for a brighter future.
The African Union, located in Addis Ababa, is seen by Zemdena as a living testament to the spirit and ideals of Pan-Africanism. She stressed the importance of African solutions to African problems, highlighting Ethiopia’s commitment to this pragmatic approach.
“Ethiopia has always been advocating ‘African solutions to African problems.’ It is a real pragmatic way of showcasing that the people of Africa have wisdom, a mechanism and framework to address their own issues in the way they see fit, she pointed out.
Lastly, Zemdena emphasized the cultural aspect of Pan-Africanism, which seeks to foster togetherness and solidarity among people of the nations of the continent.