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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter III |
| Inter-Africa |
| Beginnings Of African Unity To The ACCRA Conference Apr. 15, 1958 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - April 15, 1958 |
The convening of the Conference of Independent African States in Ghana,
where responsible statesmen representing a free government are gathering
to consider together common problems, is a great and momentous event.
As an integral part of the African Continent, Ethiopia looks back with pride
to the role which she has played in the history of the development of
Africa and looks forward with confidence to the future of this great
continent.
In her long and glorius history, Ethiopia, has time and again, had to
struggle against overwhelming odds to preserve intact her traditional
freedom and independence and to guarantee from generation to generation
the right of free men to work out their own destiny without interference or
hinderance. The world is only now coming to realize what Ethiopia and
Africa have long recognized, that peace, independence and the prosperity
of mankind can be achieved and assured only by the collective and united
efforts of free men who are prepared to maintain eternal vigilance and
labour unceasingly to protect these most precious of God's gifts. The
sympathy and support which Ethiopia received frm other African peoples
when she was invaded twenty-three years ago is ample testimony of the
strong sentiments which unite all free African countries.
In our own lifetime the world has undergone changes more sweeping and
striking than those seen during any similar period in history. Technical
and scientific advances have combined to raise mankind to a level of
material achievement never before realized. It is the duty and
responsibility of the Independent African States to further this
development and to bring the benefits of modern civilization to increasingly
large numbers of people in Africa.
where responsible statesmen representing a free government are gathering
to consider together common problems, is a great and momentous event.
As an integral part of the African Continent, Ethiopia looks back with pride
to the role which she has played in the history of the development of
Africa and looks forward with confidence to the future of this great
continent.
In her long and glorius history, Ethiopia, has time and again, had to
struggle against overwhelming odds to preserve intact her traditional
freedom and independence and to guarantee from generation to generation
the right of free men to work out their own destiny without interference or
hinderance. The world is only now coming to realize what Ethiopia and
Africa have long recognized, that peace, independence and the prosperity
of mankind can be achieved and assured only by the collective and united
efforts of free men who are prepared to maintain eternal vigilance and
labour unceasingly to protect these most precious of God's gifts. The
sympathy and support which Ethiopia received frm other African peoples
when she was invaded twenty-three years ago is ample testimony of the
strong sentiments which unite all free African countries.
In our own lifetime the world has undergone changes more sweeping and
striking than those seen during any similar period in history. Technical
and scientific advances have combined to raise mankind to a level of
material achievement never before realized. It is the duty and
responsibility of the Independent African States to further this
development and to bring the benefits of modern civilization to increasingly
large numbers of people in Africa.
| On The Side of Peace |
However, as man's capacity to improve his own lot has grown, so has his
power to spread havoc and destruction correspondingly increased. The
Independent African States must assure that the growing weight of Africa
is enlisted on the side of peace and justice to the end of avoiding a third
holocaust which could well engulf the entire world and result in the total
destruction of mankind.
But dwarfing even man's material achievements in the twentieth century
has been the emergence of peoples all over the world into freedom and
independence. Today, for the first time, men everywhere to whom
freedom and independence were, but a short time ago, only words, and
for whom economic and political self-determination were no more than
far-distant goals, have achieved the status of free men and are directing
their efforts and energies to their own advancement. We are particularly
gratified and proud that this development has been so marked and
widespread of the great continent of Africa. Africa will no longer be the
"unknow continent", for its human and material resources are beyond
measure, and this great continent now stands on the verge of an
economic, political and cultural development which, when realized, will be
without parallel in history.
power to spread havoc and destruction correspondingly increased. The
Independent African States must assure that the growing weight of Africa
is enlisted on the side of peace and justice to the end of avoiding a third
holocaust which could well engulf the entire world and result in the total
destruction of mankind.
But dwarfing even man's material achievements in the twentieth century
has been the emergence of peoples all over the world into freedom and
independence. Today, for the first time, men everywhere to whom
freedom and independence were, but a short time ago, only words, and
for whom economic and political self-determination were no more than
far-distant goals, have achieved the status of free men and are directing
their efforts and energies to their own advancement. We are particularly
gratified and proud that this development has been so marked and
widespread of the great continent of Africa. Africa will no longer be the
"unknow continent", for its human and material resources are beyond
measure, and this great continent now stands on the verge of an
economic, political and cultural development which, when realized, will be
without parallel in history.
| Ethiopia's Part |
In this development, Ethiopia will have its own particular, and We feel,
important role to play. It is for this reason that We have charged Our
beloved Son Prince Sahle Selassie with the high mission to be Our
personal representative and the head of the Ethiopian Delegation to the
Conference of Independent African States. Ethiopia knows how
hard-won is independence and how vital it is that men be jealous of their
freedom and be ever prepared to defend it. Ethiopia knows, as her history
has taught her, that the world is small, and that co-operation among all
nations of the world, East and West alike, is not only possible and
desirable, but indispensible for the welfare of mankind. Ethiopia knows
that the willingness of the Independent States of Africa to co-operate and
work together in solving their common problems and achieving their
common goals is essential to the continued progress of the African peoples.
It is a propitious omen for the future that at this very moment the free
natios of Africa are giving tangible service of their own determination to
work together not only for their own good but for the good of Africa and
the entire world. The task is great. It demands wise judgement and
statemanship of the highest order. It requires unceasing labour, a
dedication to fundamental principles and objectives and a determination to
overcome all obstacles, however large. He who suffers conquers, and in
the final resort, wins the crown of victory. We pray that Almighty God
will bless the Conference with strength and wisdom and crown its efforts
with success.
important role to play. It is for this reason that We have charged Our
beloved Son Prince Sahle Selassie with the high mission to be Our
personal representative and the head of the Ethiopian Delegation to the
Conference of Independent African States. Ethiopia knows how
hard-won is independence and how vital it is that men be jealous of their
freedom and be ever prepared to defend it. Ethiopia knows, as her history
has taught her, that the world is small, and that co-operation among all
nations of the world, East and West alike, is not only possible and
desirable, but indispensible for the welfare of mankind. Ethiopia knows
that the willingness of the Independent States of Africa to co-operate and
work together in solving their common problems and achieving their
common goals is essential to the continued progress of the African peoples.
It is a propitious omen for the future that at this very moment the free
natios of Africa are giving tangible service of their own determination to
work together not only for their own good but for the good of Africa and
the entire world. The task is great. It demands wise judgement and
statemanship of the highest order. It requires unceasing labour, a
dedication to fundamental principles and objectives and a determination to
overcome all obstacles, however large. He who suffers conquers, and in
the final resort, wins the crown of victory. We pray that Almighty God
will bless the Conference with strength and wisdom and crown its efforts
with success.
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |