17th Anniversary Of The Fall Of The Dergue Regime Commemorated In Hargeysa

Hargeysa, Somaliland, May 31, 2008 (SL Times) – The 17th anniversary since the fall of the former military regime in Ethiopia was celebrated in Hargeysa last Thursday.

To observe the occasion, Ethiopia’s envoy to Somaliland, Ambassador Wubshet Demissie held a grand reception at the Maansoor Hotel, Thursday evening.

Guests included government officials, opposition leaders and representatives of the business community, women groups and civil society.

In a commemorative speech on the occasion, Ambassador Demissie hailed Ethio-Somaliland relations and expressed his country’s support and admiration for Somalilanders dedication to peace.

The full text of his speech is as follows:

Ethiopian Envoy’s Speech On The Occasion Of The 17th Anniversary Of The Fall Of the Military Government

I would like to appreciate the respect you all have shown by joining us in the celebration of May 28 for the second time here in Hargeysa. Today we are celebrating the seventeenth anniversary of the fall of the military regime and the birth of a new Ethiopia, in this year of the Ethiopian Millennium.

In the last seventeen years we've made great strides in establishing the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in which the rights and sovereignty of all peoples and nationalities have the protection of the law. We have changed the economic, social and political landscape of what is of course the oldest and most multi-cultural nation in the Horn of Africa.

We have achieved an average annual growth rate over the last five years of well over ten percent; which is the highest of any non-oil producing African state. We've registered encouraging results in education. Primary school enrolment has reached ninety one percent. Education is no longer a privilege but a right of all citizens. Millions now have access to medical care. We've made major advances in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other communicable diseases. There have been great strides in the development of infrastructure.

Of course, this is not what I want to talk about today. This is a celebration of real achievement, and we have reason to be proud of what we have done. But we are very aware we need to do more. We need to expand economic development, ensure peace and deepen the democratization process to enhance our unity. That's why, in this year of the New Millennium, of the year 2000, we have committed ourselves to the Renaissance of Ethiopia, to its regeneration. The Renaissance of Ethiopia and the spirit of the New Millennium alike signify dedication to the unity of Ethiopia, determination to speed up economic development, and the protection of Ethiopia's national interests and security.

On the eve of the New Millennium, Prime Minister Meles called upon Ethiopians to contribute everything to make the "current realities a mere footnote in our long and glorious history" a stepping stone to the full realization of the renaissance of Ethiopia.

It is here that the spirit of the Ethiopian Renaissance is providing us with the dynamism and the vitality to usher in the New Ethiopian Millennium with extra enthusiasm and renewed vigour. Our foreign policy, and economic diplomacy, is taking its direction and its impetus from this same spirit of the Renaissance and the Millennium. We are equally determined to remain engaged, with the spirit of the renaissance, to make full contribution to peace and mutual understanding among peoples and nations, and most particularly in our own sub-region.

We are very much dedicated to the peace and security of the region as we have demonstrated in Somalia. Major gains have been made in the fight against terrorism there, and in moving towards reconciliation. The challenges remain very real, but the prospects for peace in Somalia are better now than they have ever been despite all the efforts of the enemies of peace in our sub region.

I must add that, in all this, we know we owe a great deal to our friends and partners. We hope that they will feel and continue to play a similar role in our development and in areas of our mutual concerns. In this regard, this would be a good opportunity to express our appreciation for the positive and productive role that Somaliland has played on our efforts to bring about development, peace and democracy. Here, it would be appropriate to congratulate and pay my tributes to Somalilanders among others – political leaders, elders and professionals for their indefatigable efforts and success in maintaining and sustaining the unity, peace and stability of Somaliland by way of accommodating differences amicably. By doing so you have shown the world how serious you are about peace and unity. We are very pleased that our strong belief that Somaliland has the right and the capacity to manage its own affairs, has been proved correct. Here I wish to reaffirm to you that, Ethiopia and Ethiopians as a friend and neighbour, will remain always and stand with Somaliland and its peace loving people through thick and thin.

All Ethiopians, we know, will stand together, united, to realize the grand design to transform Ethiopia in the New Millennium. We will turn Ethiopia into a middle income and a democratic nation, a lasting symbol of the achievement of an Ethiopian Renaissance in which all its peoples can have the fullest pride.

I Thank You

Ambassador Wubshit Dimmisse

Source: Somaliland Times

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives