Addis Ababa, 10 October 2014 (WIC) – People of Afar and their camels have a cherished corner for the national flag. It was at this State, Bure front, the Flag Day was celebrated for the 7th time a fortnight back simultaneously with World Tourism Day.
Elidar Woreda Administration Head, Abdela Sule said that: “Our renaissance journey could not be hampered by anti-peace movements of the enemy. Our flag demonstrates our aura of invincibility, valor, unity and superiority over our enemies. And it also expresses the spirit of equality among nations and nationalities living within the nation. It embodies the sovereignty of the country. That is why our forefathers sacrificed their lives for it.”
“Let alone we, even our camels become alert when they see our flags. We are celebrating the day not only to remember our past stories, but also to make new stories and to emerge victorious in the war the country mounted against poverty. For this to happen, we have to be hand in gloves with the defense force thereby to sustain the development activities afoot throughout the country. Victors over poverty and backwardness, we have to transfer a prosperous nation to the upcoming generation. It is a day on which we reaffirm commitment towards peace and development working together with members of the defense force,” he said.
“Our defense force members, we love and revere you as you are discharging a lofty task in the benefit of your nation. We take pride when we celebrate the Flag Day with you,” he added.
Afar State President Ismaile Alisero said “Our flag showcases our diversity. Our constitution is a guarantee to our diversity, it affords equal chance and a level ground of participation to all citizens. This unfolding allows us to build an advanced nation. We ensure our identity and sovereignty via the flag we have and it reflects our unity. We know that we have strong unity based on equality and tolerance, through time it is sending deeper roots and turning potent. Because our flag is an emblem of our renaissance journey, we, all nations, nationalities and peoples stand together to lead our nation to affluence. In this promising nation, ensuring our renaissance journey through protecting the constitution and the democratic system as well as safeguarding and defending our flag is crucial. For this to happen, the defense force has its own front-line role.”
He went on to say: “We entertain great pleasure when we celebrate the day in person going to the Bure front, a place where people are ready to sacrifices their lives to the flag.”
We have a great admiration to the army deployed at the Bure front that is protecting our sovereignty high on the alert since the Ethio-Eritrian war broke out and that enables the flag to flap up high. We have a big respect to the army, as it has been rendering a task to benefit both the public and the nation. ”
Major General Fiseha Kidane-Mariam chief Major of Bure Front Regiment addressing People from Bure, Elidar, Manda Weredas gathered to celebrate the flag day at Bure front said: “Previously, let alone celebrating such a day colorfully, people were harboring fear to commute from one place to the other. By the struggle and life scarification that had been paid by nation, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, we can celebrate the day like this. After the fall of Derg regime, following the democratic system that ensued, the country broke away from being a synonymy to famine and war. And the global community has now realized that the country has managed to change her name turning peaceful and developmental states. This is made possible by the great effort, commitment, passion and struggle of patriots both before and after the period of struggle.
Recalling that peace and security are one among the key tasks and missions given by the constitution to the defense army, Major General Fiseha said that the defense force can accomplish its mission both nationally and internationally.
Parallel to this, the army has been participating in developmental activities to accelerate the country’s renaissance. Hence, it has been working together with the public. The world community has witnessed that Ethiopia has a strong and dedicated army. It is an army that won the admiration of peace loving countries across the globe. Many are amazed by its discipline and bravery. The regiment, after the Bure Front engagement, it has busied itself in gaining the community’s full and strong support and this has helped the army to ensure sustainable and inviolable peace in the area. We are committed to work with the community to further ensure peace and accelerate development-oriented activities.
Amin Abdulkadir Culture and Tourism Minister on his part said that tourism is a peaceful industry. With the absence of peace and security, the industry couldn’t exist. Hence, it is easily understandable the value defense members in the environs pay to ensure peace in the area. Our country is on the wings of renaissance, this move to higher level of development is expressed by the flag we have. We feel we are lucky to get a chance to celebrate both World Tourism and Flag days with our defense army. We are very grateful to all who keep a vigilant eye for our security and the tranquil peace we now enjoy. Our security is ensured by the defense force we have.
Speaker of the House of People’s Representative, Abdula Gemeda expressed his happiness because he has got a chance to celebrate the Flag Day with the defense force which he closely worked with. We celebrate the day a fortnight earlier, because the defense force ensuring serenity in the area enabled us to have a sovereign nation.
It is after sailing through historic chapters, our flag is handed down to us. This didn’t happen by accident. Innumerable citizens have sacrificed their lives for it. Nowadays, our flag is not a mark of identity to few citizens rather it is a property of all nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. We shall keep on protecting our sovereignty and enable the flag to fly high. We are at the point of eradicating poverty. Beyond herself, at this juncture, our motherland is serving a patron of peace for various countries. And our defense force has become the most adored and respected force by sons and daughters of Africa, for it accomplishes the mission it received accurately.
The defense force is adored not only by Ethiopians; but Somalian, Sudanese and South-Sudanese entertain the same respect to it.
The army has also been participating in development-oriented activities, which are taking place all over the country. The fact that the army has contributed in over 100 million for the realization of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam substantiate the case in point. This ensures that the army is developmental. Apart from this, the army is contributing its share in assisting the surrounding community; this also shows us that the army is developmental. We feel an overriding pride because we are here within the army.
Guests from neighboring countries like, Djibouti and Somalia, Lucy (Women’s Football National Team) members, artists from the National Theatre Modern Band, journalists drawn from government and private media outlets had attend the event.
According to EH, the flag-hoisting ceremony was lead by speaker of the house Abadula Gemeda. The National Anthem of Ethiopia was sung. The 25th Fenkele Brigade had given a color to the day demonstrating military prowess assisted by various modern armaments.