Formation of the Association

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• The Roman Empire attempted to invade Ethiopia 29 years before the birth of Christ and 48 years after the birth of Christ.
• During the 16th century, the Turks, the Portuguese, the Egyptians, the Mahdist of the Sudan, the English and the Italians tried to conquer Ethiopia in vain.
• By the end of the 19th century, European colonizers carved up most of Africa after the Berlin Conference. Italy attempted to colonize Ethiopia but because of Emperor Menelik II’s leadership and the heroic Ethiopian people, the Italian ambition was crushed in the battle of Adwa.
• 40 years later after the battle of ADWA where the Italian force was defeated in a one-day battle, Fascist Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in 1936.

During the war of 1936, Ethiopians engaged the Fascist war machine at Amba Arado, Shire, Korahe,Genale, Ogaden and Maychew. Due to their sophisticated armaments, the Fascist Force had the upper hand and the Ethiopian force had to retreat. The final defeat at Maychew compelled Ethiopians of all walks of life from many regions to organize and engage in guerrilla warfare against the enemy.
 
​Ethiopians residing in Northern Shoa created the Association of Ethiopian Patriots (AEPatriots) at Ankelafign, Tegulet District, of Shoa Region in 1939. This organization was instrumental in coordinating the struggle against the Fascist Force. It was founded by ten concerned Ethiopians for the purpose of engaging the Fascist War machine in a coordinated manner; expel the enemy from the Ethiopian territory; and ascertain the sovereignty of the country. After the victory over the Italian Fascist Force in 1941, the government of H.I.M. Haile Selassie 1st granted legal recognition to the Association. The Association has had its members under its umbrella ever since. At present, the Association - with the help of the government of Ethiopia - is looking after the elderly combatants.

Why support our work ...

Since inception, the association has organized and raised funds to help the patriots and their families live a dignified life in gratitude of their sacrifice for Ethiopia. The Association aims to provide the basics – food, water, medicine, preventive care, and shelter – for these aging patriots and their families. We urge anyone that is willing and able to chip-in and make a donation. They deserve our gratitude.

​We will regularly provide chronicled and archived firsthand accounts from these heroes about the battles and hardships endured by the Arbegna during this historic period. Our goal is that these anecdotes will capture the breadth of experiences from this critical period in Ethiopia’s history, and serve to educate and inspire current and future generations of Ethiopians.

Support an Arbegna

The Association aims to provide the basics – food, water, medicine, preventive care, and shelter – for the aging patriots and their families. Especially in these trying times of COVID-19. We urge anyone that is willing and able to chip-in and make a donation. They deserve our gratitude.