Box 1: Commendable Practice 1: Ethiopia’s Role in Africa
Ethiopia was the most significant emblem of African freedom in colonial times. Unique among
African countries, the country was, no doubt, the most persistent and uncompromising antiimperialist conscience and spirit of Africa as a result of its direct armed confrontation with the
allied international forces of imperialism. When Africa was divided up by European powers at
the Berlin Conference, Ethiopia was one of only two countries that retained its independence.
Ethiopia successfully repelled repeated foreign occupations, including the defeat of Italy in
the Battle of Adwa in 1896, and it was never colonised. The glorious victory of Adwa was a
turning point not only in Ethiopia but, by extension, the rest of Africa. Adwa not only preserved
Ethiopia’s independence but inspired resistance movements throughout Africa and the
Diaspora to intensify armed struggle against foreign domination. Moreover, Ethiopia as one
of the three African members of the League of Nations and a Charter Member of the United
Nations has been a constant and persistent anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist campaigner
for the continental liberation and unity of Africa. It played a prominent role in the liberation
struggles of several African countries. Nelson Mandela, the former South African President and
icon, was one of those who received military training in Ethiopia during the liberation struggle
against the apartheid regime. Addis Ababa, the capital, was made the headquarters of the
Organisation for African Unity (OAU), created in 1963 by 32 independent African states to foster
African unity and integration. It is also the seat of the United Nations Economic Commission
for Africa (UNECA), created in April 1958. As one of the founding members of the OAU, which
has transformed into the African Union, Ethiopia has always committed itself to the unity and
solidarity of Africans. In 2007, H.E. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia assumed office as Chairperson of the Heads of State and Government
Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)
as well as the Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government In The African Peer
Review Mechanism (APR Forum). The Prime Mister of Ethiopia also represented Africa at the
Climate Change Summit (COP15) in Copenhagen, Denmark, held in December 2009. Ethiopia
has also played a prominent role in peace efforts initiated by the African Union and the UN.
Its troops effectively participated in peacekeeping missions to Burundi, Liberia and Somalia.
Source: Compiled by the CRM, September 2009.
67.
Ethiopian Airlines is a pioneering African airline and, one of the most reliable
and profitable airlines in developing countries. In addition to facilitating
movement in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines also provides basic pilot and aviation
maintenance training to trainees from several African countries, including
Rwanda, Tanzania, Chad, Djibouti, Madagascar, and Sudan. It also trains
employees of Kenya Airways, Air Zimbabwe, Belleview Airlines, Cape Verde
Airlines, and Air Madagascar.
Box 2: Ethiopian Airlines
The 66-year-old Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in the world.
It provides service to 34 cities in Africa and to a total of 55 destinations across the world. Its
aircraft have frequently been chosen as the best airliner in Africa. In 2008, it was voted the
best airline in Africa at the African Travel Awards in Lagos, Nigeria, for its excellent network and
convenient connections in Africa. It also won the “Airline of the Year” award from the African
Airlines Association (AFRAA) in 2009.
Source: Compiled by the CRM, September 2009.
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