As part of the resistance against the Axis powers the allied forces eventually did decide to fight the fascists in their colonial possessions. British forces collaborated with the Ethiopian patriots who waged guerrilla warfare at home. After five years of resistance, Ethiopia was able to regain its sovereignty in 1941, the fascists were routed from Ethiopia, Somaliland and Eritrea.

During the war, Ethiopia recorded a death toll of more than 700,000 including combatants, patriots and civilians.

Having settled the crisis through postwar reparation pacts, now Italy and Ethiopia enjoy good diplomatic and people-to-people relations.

Yet the grotesque and traumatic crimes committed against humanity remain as vital issues for the human race. Just as Emperor Haile Sellassie attempted to remind the League of Nations, aggression is not a crime committed on a specific people or specific place. If aggressors go unchecked they are likely to impose their brutality against everyone over time.

This was clearly witnessed during the Second World War where Axis forces kept on annexing countries one by one. Indeed atrocities are indiscriminate and the pain is felt by everyone.

As a result Ethiopia commemorates the day of martyrs on February 19 and the Victory over Fascist Aggression on May 5 every year. Paying tribute to fallen patriots, it continuously renews its commitment against such brutalities and brings to the attention of the entire world about the need for solidarity during such adversities.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemaram Desalegn is in Beijing to attend this historical and magnificent commemoration of victory against fascist aggression and show solidarity towards humanity.

The writer is Publications Editor at Ethiopian Government Communication Affairs Office (GCAO), currently on a year long exchange program at China Africa Press Center (CAPC) of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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