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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter III |
| Inter-Africa |
| Ethiopia And Organization Of African Unity Nov. 09, 1964 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - November 9, 1964 |
.... Long after more temporary achievements have been forgotten, the
Conference of Heads of State and Government of African nations held in
Addis Ababa last May will remain as the single event having the farthest
reaching implications for the future of the African continent. Every
Ethiopian can be proud of the role which his nation played in this historic
meeting when African rose above local regional interests and proclaimed
their unity and oneness. There were many who felt that the holding of the
Conference was in itself a sufficient achievement and that nothing more
could be expected. These failed to reckon with the spirit and
determination which had brought the leaders of Africa together, and in the
end the impetus which had so swiftly carried Africa from a dependent to a
free continent gave birth to the Charter of African Unity which will take its
rightful place with the great documents of history. No one who witnessed
the leaders of Africa gathered together in a single hall to assert their
common identity and brotherhood and to lay the foundation for Africa's
future will soon forget the experience.
The unity to which we all pledged our devotion at the Addis Ababa
Conference was tested -- and proved -- but a short time ago when the
unfortunate border conflict which had erupted between Algeria and
Morocco imperilled for a time the edifice of which the foundation had only
just been laid. That the leaders of these two states agreed to come
together and, having met, to order a cease-fire, demonstrated once again
that Africa and African unity are more than mere words, that they have
content and substance. When We found Ourself, in the course of the
series of State Visits of which We shall speak in a moment, in the territory
of the two combatant states immediately after hostilities had broken out, it
was Our duty to offer Our services in an attempt to end the bloodshed.
We sought no victory of prestige, no personal triumph in so doing. We
acted out of humanity and out of the conviction that unless the conflict
was speedily halted, a severe blow would be dealt to the principles which
had been established only five months earlier in Ethiopia's capital. That the
efforts which We and other African leaders exerted have culminated in
success is a source of satisfaction for all Africans, and We must address a
special word of appreciation to Our good friend, President Modibo Keita,
who offered his capital, Bamako, as the meeting place for the parties. We
have repeatedly stated that Africans are now prepared and able to setttle
African quarrels, that Africa has come to full maturity, that we can and
must now assume responsibility for assuring the tranquillity of our
continent. The cease-fire agreement reached at Bamako and the
successful meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of
African Unity held in Addis Ababa but a few days ago testify to the truth
of these declarations.
Conference of Heads of State and Government of African nations held in
Addis Ababa last May will remain as the single event having the farthest
reaching implications for the future of the African continent. Every
Ethiopian can be proud of the role which his nation played in this historic
meeting when African rose above local regional interests and proclaimed
their unity and oneness. There were many who felt that the holding of the
Conference was in itself a sufficient achievement and that nothing more
could be expected. These failed to reckon with the spirit and
determination which had brought the leaders of Africa together, and in the
end the impetus which had so swiftly carried Africa from a dependent to a
free continent gave birth to the Charter of African Unity which will take its
rightful place with the great documents of history. No one who witnessed
the leaders of Africa gathered together in a single hall to assert their
common identity and brotherhood and to lay the foundation for Africa's
future will soon forget the experience.
The unity to which we all pledged our devotion at the Addis Ababa
Conference was tested -- and proved -- but a short time ago when the
unfortunate border conflict which had erupted between Algeria and
Morocco imperilled for a time the edifice of which the foundation had only
just been laid. That the leaders of these two states agreed to come
together and, having met, to order a cease-fire, demonstrated once again
that Africa and African unity are more than mere words, that they have
content and substance. When We found Ourself, in the course of the
series of State Visits of which We shall speak in a moment, in the territory
of the two combatant states immediately after hostilities had broken out, it
was Our duty to offer Our services in an attempt to end the bloodshed.
We sought no victory of prestige, no personal triumph in so doing. We
acted out of humanity and out of the conviction that unless the conflict
was speedily halted, a severe blow would be dealt to the principles which
had been established only five months earlier in Ethiopia's capital. That the
efforts which We and other African leaders exerted have culminated in
success is a source of satisfaction for all Africans, and We must address a
special word of appreciation to Our good friend, President Modibo Keita,
who offered his capital, Bamako, as the meeting place for the parties. We
have repeatedly stated that Africans are now prepared and able to setttle
African quarrels, that Africa has come to full maturity, that we can and
must now assume responsibility for assuring the tranquillity of our
continent. The cease-fire agreement reached at Bamako and the
successful meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of
African Unity held in Addis Ababa but a few days ago testify to the truth
of these declarations.
| Decisions Implemented |
The decisions taken at the Addis Ababa Conference are fast being
implemented. Final decisions have been taken on the establishment of the
African Development Bank which We have long urged. The Defence
Commission which met a short time ago in Accra has laid the basis for
closer co-operation in the military sphere. Dates have been fixed for the
meetings of the other Commissions created by the Charter of African
Unity. Economic sanctions have been placed in force against the
Portuguese and South African regimes as a result of agreements reached
in May. The nine-nation Liberation Committee set up to administer the
Freedom Fund has been organized, and Ethiopia is proud to serve as a
member, just as we are proud that the financial contribution which
Ethiopia pledged to the Fund was promptly paid. As time passes, We
confidently anticipate that the Organization of African Unity will become
an ever stronger force for the cause of freedome and progress for all
Africa and all Africans....
....We must express Our keen regret that the Government of the Republic
of Somalia, a neighbour whom Ethiopia aided along the path of
independence, continues to flout and ignore these principles. Not only
have the authorities in Somalia persisted in their violently anti-Ethiopian
propaganda campaign in the press, radio and in public utterances, but
Government - instigated and supported violations of Ethiopia's frontier
have continued throughtout the past year. Armed bands have infiltrated
Ethiopia's territory and committed acts of aggression and sabotage. By
these method, the leaders of Somalia hope to realize their declared policy
of territorial aggrandizement.
Ethiopia's policy is to respect the territorial limits of other nations. We
repect Somalia's frontiers. We do not inject ourselves or otherwise
interfere in Somalia's internal affairs. But there must be an end to
provocation. Patience is not limitless, and the responsibility for the
continued deterioration of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia and for
any untoward consequences which may ensue will rest squarely in
Mogadiscio .....
implemented. Final decisions have been taken on the establishment of the
African Development Bank which We have long urged. The Defence
Commission which met a short time ago in Accra has laid the basis for
closer co-operation in the military sphere. Dates have been fixed for the
meetings of the other Commissions created by the Charter of African
Unity. Economic sanctions have been placed in force against the
Portuguese and South African regimes as a result of agreements reached
in May. The nine-nation Liberation Committee set up to administer the
Freedom Fund has been organized, and Ethiopia is proud to serve as a
member, just as we are proud that the financial contribution which
Ethiopia pledged to the Fund was promptly paid. As time passes, We
confidently anticipate that the Organization of African Unity will become
an ever stronger force for the cause of freedome and progress for all
Africa and all Africans....
....We must express Our keen regret that the Government of the Republic
of Somalia, a neighbour whom Ethiopia aided along the path of
independence, continues to flout and ignore these principles. Not only
have the authorities in Somalia persisted in their violently anti-Ethiopian
propaganda campaign in the press, radio and in public utterances, but
Government - instigated and supported violations of Ethiopia's frontier
have continued throughtout the past year. Armed bands have infiltrated
Ethiopia's territory and committed acts of aggression and sabotage. By
these method, the leaders of Somalia hope to realize their declared policy
of territorial aggrandizement.
Ethiopia's policy is to respect the territorial limits of other nations. We
repect Somalia's frontiers. We do not inject ourselves or otherwise
interfere in Somalia's internal affairs. But there must be an end to
provocation. Patience is not limitless, and the responsibility for the
continued deterioration of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia and for
any untoward consequences which may ensue will rest squarely in
Mogadiscio .....
| ... No one who witnessed the leaders of Africa gathered together in a single hall to assert their common identity and brotherhood and to lay the foundation for Africa's future will soon forget the experience... |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |