The delegation was dispatched by Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and is led by RDF spokesperson Ronald Rwivanga and he is accompanied by Colonel David Sangani, the Defence Attache to Ethiopia and Djibouti and permanent mission to AU and ECA, Lt Col Gaspard Harerimana, the Director General of Digitization in MOD and Maj Emmanuel Murenzi, Head of history Archives DPA is participating in the 130th Adwa victory celebrations and official tour of the Ethiopian Military Museum/ Adwa Victory Memorial, Ethiopian AI institute and science museum among others.  

During their visit, the delegation is scheduled to tour key institutions such as memorials honoring soldiers who died in the historic battle, a national artificial intelligence innovation center, and a science museum, highlighting Ethiopia’s blend of historical pride and technological ambition.

On Sunday morning, the Rwandan representatives joined participants from across the continent at the second African Defence Ministers Conference, themed around celebrating Africa’s victorious past while focusing on a hopeful future.

The gathering, attended by defence ministers and envoys from multiple African countries, centered on strategies for strengthening lasting peace and security across the continent.

Main anniversary events are expected on Monday, March 2, featuring ceremonial parades and cultural performances marking the decisive 1896 battle fought in the northern Ethiopian town of Adwa. On March 1 of that year, Ethiopian forces defeated troops from Italy, securing sovereignty at a time when much of Africa was being colonized following the 1884–1885 Berlin Conference.

That triumph allowed Ethiopia to remain independent while most African territories fell under colonial rule. Together with Liberia, it stood as one of the few African states to avoid colonization, making the Adwa victory a powerful symbol that later inspired independence movements across the continent.