Addis Ababa Remembers September 11

September 9, 2005
No. 42/05

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – Four years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans, Ethiopians, and members of Addis Ababa’s international community have gathered to remember those lost that day, to consider events in the months and years since, and to look forward with hope for a better future.

The ceremony took place on Friday, September 9, at the Ethiopia-America September 11 Memorial Park on top of Entoto Mountain, a joint project of the Ethiopia Heritage Trust and the U.S. Embassy.  The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, was joined by Addis Ababa City Manager Ato Zemdkun Girma, leaders of the country’s Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim religious communities, fellow envoys from the diplomatic community, and family members of Ethiopian-American victims of the attacks, along with survivors from both New York and Washington.

The Memorial Park on Entoto is part of the Ethiopia Heritage Trust’s efforts to conserve and reforest the hills around Addis Ababa.  As part of the ceremony, participants planted over 200 indigenous trees, adding them to the 3,000 seedlings that were planted at the Park’s dedication in 2004.  In addition, members of the U.S. Embassy community have participated in improving the memorial that is the centerpiece of the Park, this year adding five benches that allow visitors to contemplate the monument and the views beyond.

####