Addis Ababa, May 5, 2026 (FMC) – President Taye Atske Selassie this morning laid a wreath at the Patriots’ Monument in Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa, in honor of Ethiopian Patriots who fought to defend the country’s sovereignty.
The ceremony, held as part of the 85th Patriots’ Victory Day commemorations, paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Arbegnoch, whose sustained resistance during the years of conflict played a defining role in safeguarding Ethiopia’s independence.
Senior government officials, including Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie, as well as surviving patriots, their families, and descendants, attended the solemn event.
During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the monument in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the resistance struggle.
The Addis Ababa City Administration also paid tribute with a wreath-laying, while a wreath was presented on behalf of the Ethiopian Patriots Association by its representatives.
Patriots’ Victory Day, observed annually on May 5, commemorates the defeat of Fascist Italian forces in 1941 following years of determined resistance by Ethiopian Patriots across various parts of the country.
The commemoration serves as a reminder of the resilience, unity, and sacrifice that defined the Arbegnoch movement, whose legacy continues to hold national significance.