Montag, 15. April 2013

Speech of The Day (194): Conference of Independent African States of April 15, 1958, in Accra




His Imperial Majesty's Statement given to
the Ethiopian Observer for the special issue
dedicated to the Conference of Independent
African States of April 15, 1958, in Accra:


"The convening of the Conference of Independent
African States in Ghana, where responsible statesmen
representing free governments 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 glorious history, Ethiopia, has time
and again, had to struggle against overwhelming odds to
preserve intact het 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 hindrance. 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 from other
African peoples when she was invaded twenty-three
short years ago is ample testimony of the strong
sentiments which unite all free African countries.
In our own life time 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.
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 on the great continent
of Africa. Africa will no longer be the “Unknown
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.
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 cooperation among all nations of the
world, East and West alike, is not only possible and
desirable, but indispensable 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 nations of Africa are giving tangible
evidence of their 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 judgment and statesmanship 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 their efforts
with success."







Speeches delivered by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie Ist Emperor of Ethiopia on various occasions - page 49 - & Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 189 –  









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