Ethiopia gets global felicitations on its 26th National Day

Ethiopia is on record as the only African country that successfully fended off colonial rule. But it celebrates every May 28 as its National Day. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the day which started in 1991.

The day is a major holiday in the country commemorating the fall of the regime of its dictatorial Derg group. The Derg or Dergue is the short name of the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army that ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991.

The day was previously referred to as the Downfall of the Derg day and is commemorated at home and abroad. The Ethiopian government has been receiving felicitations from governments around the world. Among others, the United States, Saudi, India, Canada.

The United States in a terse statement signed by Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson read in part, ‘‘A warm friendship connects the Ethiopian and American people. We remain committed to working with Ethiopia to foster liberty, democracy, economic growth, protection of human rights, and the rule of law.

“Current global challenges demand close coordination and open dialogue. I look forward to working with Ethiopia on the UN Security Council, and hope that together we can find solutions to common challenges and issues of mutual importance.’‘

The state-affiliated news portal, FANA Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) also reports that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had all sent congratulatory cable to President Mulatu Teshome and the people of Ethiopia.

Others who felicitated with Ethiopia included, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

“On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you and to the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your National Day,’‘ a statement from Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee read.

Derg came to power in 1974 after ousting Haile Selassie, the last Ethiopian Emperor. The Emperor had ruled between 1930 till 1974 when he was ousted, the kingdom was officially dismissed in May 1975 and the emperor died three months later.

President of India’s message on the eve of National Day of Ethiopia https://t.co/w7PyCCEwVa

— MIB India (@MIB_India) May 27, 2017

Upon the occasion of#Ethiopia 's National Day !! Great moment to celebrate the bonds and friendship between our nations pic.twitter.com/AVjkgm9TrE

— Emmanuel Nahshon (@EmmanuelNahshon) May 28, 2017

Warm greetings & felicitations to Government & people of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on their National Day #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) May 28, 2017

It's Ethiopia national day to cap off week of historic DrTedros victory. Now, however, he is DG for the whole world pic.twitter.com/fpstnDvlsK

— Peter A Singer, OC (PeterASinger) May 26, 2017

Heartiest congratulations to Ethiopia on Ethiopian National Day , long live Indian Ethiopian friendship pic.twitter.com/gKBoLdmnzN

— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) May 29, 2017