Senior officers of the SSPDF pictured in Addis Ababa today during the 130th Adwa Victory celebrations. South Sudan joined fellow African nations to honor this historic milestone of sovereignty. Photo: Ethiopian News Agency/March 2, 2026

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Eye Radio) – South Sudan’s Minister of Defense, Hon. Chol Thon Balok, joined defense chiefs from across the continent in Ethiopia today to commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Victory of Adwa.

Adwa Victory Day, celebrated annually on March 2, is a national holiday in Ethiopia commemorating the historic 1896 defeat of Italian colonial forces.

Representing South Sudan at this 130th-anniversary milestone, the Minister of Defense joined continental leaders to honor the legacy of the African army that fought to preserve its nation’s independence.

The central ceremony, held at the Adwa Victory Memorial and Emperor Menelik II Square, was led by Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie.  The event, themed “From a Proud History to a Bright Horizon,” saw the laying of wreaths at the foot of Emperor Menelik II’s statue.

President Selassie was joined by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed, alongside international dignitaries who gathered to honor the patriots who kept Ethiopia uncolonized.

In a statement, the Ethiopian Prime Minister defined the victory not just as a military feat, but as a triumph over internal division and betrayal. He reminded the continent that despite differences in faith and culture, the ancestors of 1896 stood as one.

“True patriotism is the willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the dignity and honor of the motherland,” the Prime Minister stated—a message that resonates deeply in South Sudan as the country navigates its own path toward lasting peace and national unity.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, hailed Adwa as a “beacon of freedom” for all Africans. He noted that the resilience shown 130 years ago is the foundation for Agenda 2063 and the vision of a “United Africa.”

The AU Chairperson emphasized that the spirit of Adwa is essential for overcoming modern challenges, particularly as the continent seeks reparations for historical wrongs.

Throughout the day, the streets of the capital were filled with elderly patriots and youth alike, recounting stories of the brave men and women who fought on the front lines.  As the 130th anniversary concluded, the message remained clear: the unity displayed at Adwa remains the most potent tool for Africa’s future.