Addis Ababa, March 5, 2021. The 43th Anniversary of the Victory in the Ogaden War, which is known in Ethiopia as the Karramara Victory, was commemorated today in this city. The event took place at the Ethio-Cuban Friendship Park, in the heart of Addis Ababa, and was attended by friends of Cuba, Cuban diplomat staff, Ethiopian heroes and generals of that campaign, Ethiopian martyrs´ relatives, representatives of the ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and the Secretary General of the House of the People´s Representatives, Dr Mesrak Mekonnen.
In the opening remarks, the Cuban Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Mrs Vilma Thomas Ramírez, recalled the importance of the Victory of Karramara for this nation, which made possible to maintain the territorial integrity and sovereignty of this country in the Horn of Africa. Likewise, she paid well-deserved tribute to the 163 Cubans who fell during the Ogaden war, who offered their lives together with the Ethiopian soldiers.
Ambassador Vilma highlighted the legacy of the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Cde. Fidel Castro Ruz, in the brotherhood between both countries, whom she pointed out, was a great friend of Ethiopia. Besides, also recognized those present at the commemoration for keeping the history alive and thanking the true friends of their country, those that have always been by their side when they have needed it.
For his part, Mr Bekuma Merdasa, Director of Latin America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanked Cuba for the selfless help offered in those difficult times. He also stressed that, since then, the friendship between both nations has been cemented by the blood shed by the heroes and martyrs of Cuba and Ethiopia.
Mr Abebe Ayalew, President of Friendship Association between the Ethiopian and Cuban Peoples expressed the gratitude of all the Ethio-Cubans (Ethiopians who have studied in Cuba) to the government and people of Cuba, for allowing them to study, train as professionals and help in the development of their nation.
Subsequently, two wreaths were placed at the base of the two monuments that remember the 163 Cubans who fell during the Baragua Operation, the name with which the Cuban presence in the Ogaden war was codified by the Cuban side.
H.E. Mr Angel Villa Hernández, Cuban Ambassador to the African Union, H.E. Mrs Clara Pulido, Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria and former Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Brigadier General Dessalegn Decha, Director of Military Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Defense of Ethiopia, were also present at the activity.
EMBACUBA ETIOPÍA
