AMN PLUS-August 22,2026
Addressing the closing ceremony of Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta highlighted Ethiopia’s long history of resilience and its significance to Africa.
He noted that Addis Ababa is not only the historic capital of Ethiopia but also the living capital of Africa. In 1963, the city became the birthplace of the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor to today’s African Union.
Kenyatta congratulated Ethiopians for reaching this important milestone in addressing their differences through dialogue.
He also commended the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission for confronting the country’s monumental challenges and refusing to look away.
He said the Commission had listened to thousands of voices and worked to absorb the painful experiences of Ethiopia’s history.
Kenyatta noted that Ethiopia’s history has always been one of resilience and that the country had never walked an easy path.
He recalled Ethiopia’s victory over invading colonial forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, saying the victory inspired colonized Africans by demonstrating that chains could be broken and dignity could be defended.
He emphasized that while the victory at Adwa belonged first to Ethiopia, the dignity and inspiration it represented spread across Africa and throughout the African diaspora.
“Adwa is Ethiopian history, but it is also African history,” he said.
Kenyatta further stressed that the principle of “African solutions to African problems” should not be viewed as isolationism, but rather as an expression of mature sovereignty.
By Leta Teresa
