TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR THE PROPOSED MONUMENT TO
ABRAHA DEBOCH AND MOGES ASGEDOM AND OTHER HEROES OF THE ETHIOPIAN RESISTANCE

1. Background history

Fascist Italy, making use of poison gas, launched its unprovoked invasion of Ethiopia on 3 October 1935. The League of Nations branded Italy as an aggressor - but imposed only ineffective sanctions.

Emperor Haile Sellassie's army, bombed and gassed from the air, was defeated in the Spring of 1936, and the victorious Italian army entered Addis Ababa on 5 May of that year. The Ethiopian Patriots, however, refused to surrender, and continued to resist the enemy in many parts of the country. There was savage repression, largely master-minded by the second Italian viceroy of Ethiopia, General Rodolfo Graziani. Patriots captured were executed virtually without trial, and the enactment of racial laws to intensify racial discrimination against the "native" population.

Determined to fight back, a group of patriotic Ethiopians decided to attempt to assassinate the hated viceroy. He was known to be holding a gathering at Emperor Haile Sellassie's former Palace, which was then the Italian administrative headquarters - and it was there, on 19 February 1937, that the attempt was to take place. Hand-grenades were thrown at him by two patriotic young Ehiopians, Abraha Debotch and Moges Asgedom, both of whom came from the then Italian colony of Eritrea.

Graziani was wounded, but survived - he was however soon recalled - but not before the Fascists launched a large-scale massacre in Addis Ababa, in the course in which thousands of innocent Ethiopians - including much of the intelligentsia - were killed. Because Abraha Debotch's wife was suspected of being protected by the monks at the ancient monastery of Debra Libanos, its monks and deacons were also massacred - on Graziani's personal orders.

The attempt on Graziani's life, and the ensuing massacre, was a turning point in Ethiopian history, because thousands of survivors fled the city, and joined the ranks of the Patriots, which were thereby greatly strengthened.

Recent research has established that the attempt was not the work of only two individuals, as was once thought, but part of a much wider movement, in which other Ethiopian patriots provided them with the hand-grenades. And a third young man, Simon Adefres, drove Abraha and Moges away. Simon was almost immediately killed by the Fascists, who later hounded Abraha and Moges to death.

It should be noted that the site of the attempt was immediately in front of the then Palace, now the centre of Addis Ababa University, and the site of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies.

At the site a staircase was built by the Fascists, with steps, each step of which symbolised one year of Fascist power (starting with Mussolini's March on Rome in 1922).

Only five minutes' walk away, but outside the University campus, there now stands a tall obelisk commemorating the Graziani Massacre as it is called. For Further reading on the period see Angelo Del Boca, The Ethiopian War 1935-1941, Chicago 1965; and Anthony Mockler. Haile Selassie's War, London, 1984.

2. Objective

The objective of the project is to erect a Monument to Abraha and Moges, which will at the same time pay tribute to Simon Adefris and the other patriots, many of them unnamed, who assisted in the struggle. The specific objective of this competition is, therefore, to select a design proposal that will satisfy the client's requirements and guidelines set here under. It is expected that competition participants will put their best minds to design a monument that is symbolic, original, economical and aesthetically attractive.

3. General guidelines

3.1 Location of the monument

The Monument is to be placed in the Main University Campus (Sidist kilo), facing the former Palace, and a stone's throw from its front steps on which Graziani was standing on the fateful day. This is a prominent location where the Monument will be seen by many students and faculty every day, and by numerous visitors to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies Museum and Library as well as to the University President and Central University Administration.

3.2 Specific requirements

The Monument should also take account of the nearby fascist memorial staircase, as well as of the adjacent formal garden, tall trees and distant fountain. Since the Monument will be in the open air, at times in heavy rain and usually in powerful sun, it must be made of weather-resistant material. The Monument can be of either abstract or realistic design. Casting, if needed, can be done at the Akaki Spare Parts Factory, outside Addis Ababa, or at any other suitable location.

It should be recalled that Ethiopia will be celebrating the beginning of its Second Millennium (based on the Ethiopian Calendar) in September 2007 and it is intended that the inauguration of the Monument should be a high point of the Millennium celebrations.

4. Competition Submission requirements

4.1 Model

Competitors should submit three-dimensional model of which the base is not less than 60 by 50cm. Gypsum or any other suitable material can be used for the model production.

4.2 Report

A brief report explaining the proposed concept, construction method, the materials to be used, the finishing and all other details, which cannot be shown clearly on the model, should amplify the model. A preliminary construction cost estimate would be advantageous, but not a must.

5. Eligibility

5.1 Competitors shall be professional Artists or/and Architects.

6. Submission of Competition

6.1 In order to facilitate the selection process and keep the anonymity of the competitors, the model and report shall be submitted without name, note or distinguished mark of any kind. A code number of 3 digits will be placed on each drawing and on the envelope contained in each package.
6.2 The model(s) shall be delivered in sealed package(s) with code number only.
6.3 Design report and brief curriculum vitae indicating the competitor's professional achievement shall be submitted in a separate sealed envelope with code number only.
6.4 Code identification letter in separate sealed envelope shall be submitted with code number only.
6.6 Code identification letter shall contain the following information (Annex I):
i) That model(s) and documents belong to the code number of the competitor.
ii) The authorised person should sign the code identification letter. In case of a joint venture, the authorised person of lead consultant should sign it.
iii) In case of a joint venture it should contain legally binding document of the joint venture partners.

6. Completion time

6.1 The erection/construction of the monument shall be completed within 120 days after the winner of the competition is disclosed and contractual agreement signed.

7. Selections, disqualification and award

7.1 Selection

The Addis Ababa University will nominate a jury consisting of prominent and qualified professionals who will critically evaluate the proposal and select the best three based on criteria, which will include:

a) adequacy of the proposal in satisfying the requirements and guidelines of the TOR,
b) functional, aesthetic and technical considerations of requirements in Annex II.

The final decision and recommendation in the selection of the most suitable proposal shall rest in the jury nominated by the Addis Ababa University in order to promote the project and follow up all matters pertaining to the design of the project.

7.2 Disqualification

A design proposal shall be disqualified from the competition if:
a) received after the latest time started under deadline clause.
b) in the opinion of the jury, it does not substantially respond to the terms and conditions of this tender.
c) in the opinion of the jury the competitor has disclosed or has attempted to disclose the identity.

7.3 Award

The following prizes will be awarded to the winning competitors by the client:
· Model design placed 1st Birr 25,000
· Model design placed 2nd Birr 15,000
· Model design placed 3rd Birr 5,000

8. Agreement for consultancy services

Standard conditions of contract for consultancy of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development and special conditions applicable to this tender shall govern this agreement.

9. Deadline

The design proposal and accompanied report of each competitor shall be delivered in wax sealed envelope (package) to the Addis Ababa University not later than 60 days after the bid issued on Ethiopian Herald, marked as “Proposal for a Proposed Monument to Abraha Deboch and Moges Asgedom and other Heroes of the Ethiopian resistance for the Addis Ababa University”.

10. Announcement of Award

The client will announce the result of the competition as soon as the selection process is completed and will communicate to each competitor individually.

11. Design Documents

The client will retain design documents, submitted by all competitors and costs incurred by competitors in preparing the document are not reimbursable.

12. Query

Queries regarding the TOR shall be addressed to the Addis Ababa University, Physical Development Office, Sidist Kilo, Tel. 0111-239787.

13. Notes

13.1 The client reserves the right to amend parts of the selected design to meet any reasonable requirements as suggested by the client or the jury.
13.2 When the client decided to implement the erection/construction work the consulting service fee will be subject to further negotiations with the winning competitor.
13.3 One competitor can present at most two model design entries.

Declaration and Code Identification
Name of competitor ____________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________
Reg. No. _____________________

I/We have complied with and accept the regulations and conditions, which apply to this competition.

I/We agree to accept the decision of the jury as final and binding and I/we agree to permit free publication and exhibition of my/our design.

I/We declare that the design is my/our work and my/our design studio under my/our direct supervision has prepared the model design and report.

Code No. ________________
Signature _________________
Date ____________________

Seal

ANNEX II

1. SITE LOCATION
1.1 Site selection
1.2 Orientation and Climatology
1.3 Environmental coherence and landscape

2. AESTHETICS
2.1Organisation of design, volumetric composition and facade treatment
2.2 Quality of exterior finishes
2.3 Originality and Creativity
2.4 Symbolic value

3. FUNCTION
3.1 Safety and security
3.2 Monument areas and costs

4. TECHNIQUES
4.1 Ease of technical installations

5. ECONOMY
5.1 Ease of maintenance and material choice

6. PRESENTATION
6.1 Sufficiency and clarity of design model
6.2 Sufficiency of information in the report