Speech of The Day (195): Message to the American Committee on Africa

On April 15, 1959, His Imperial Majesty Haile

Selassie I sent the following message to the

American Committee on Africa:

"Today, Africans and friends of Africa everywhere

are celebrating Africa Freedom Day. Observance of

this Day testifies to what is undoubtedly one of the most

significant phenomena of this post-war world - the

liberation from the bonds which have so long fettered

millions of Africans to whom, but a short time ago,

freedom and independence were but distant dreams.

Within the post-war period, the number of independent

African nations has more than doubled; next year,

additional states will achieve  their independence; and

each year that follows will see ever increasing numbers

of Africans enjoying these most precious of Almighty

God's gifts.

The tide which is sweeping Africa today cannot be

stayed. No power on earth is great enough to halt or

reverse the trend. Its march is as relentless and inoxerable

as the passage of time. The day is long overdue

for a change of attitude on the part of those nations

which have heretofore sought to hinder or impede this

movement or which have been content in the past to

remain passive in the face of the impassioned cries for

freedom, for justice, for the right to stand with their

fellow men as equal among equals, which have gone

up from this Continent. It is time for them to enlist

their sympathetic efforts on behalf of the struggle of the

African peoples to gain the place in the world which is

their God-given birthright. Those who fail or refuse

to do so, those who lack the vision and foresight to

realise that Africa is emerging into a new era, that Africans

will no longer be denied the rights which are inalienably

theirs, will not alter or reverse the course of

history, but will only suffer the inevitable consequences

of their refusal to accept reality.

What is there to be learned from the events now

occuring on the African Continent? It must be recognised,

too, that Africa, its people, its present and its

future, are of vital concern to everyone, no matter how

far removed geographically. In the past, America has

too often been content to remain relatively unconcerned

about events in Africa, too ready to stand on the sidelines

of African history as a disinterested observer. This

policy will not serve today, and the attitude which the

American people and Government now adopt towards

Africa indicates that they too realize that a new Africa

has emerged on the world scene. As a result, however,

Americans have been largely uninformed about us, our

peoples, our problems. Among other peoples, more and

more is gradually coming to be known, but mainly, We

would venture, because the peoples of Africa have

forced the rest of the world to pay heed to them and to

harken to the stirrings and reverberations which have

resounded throughout this Continent in the last decade.

The American people can make a significant contribution

to guaranteeing that a deep and abiding friendship

exists between Africa and the United States of

America. Learn more about us; learn to understand

our backrounds, our culture and traditions, our strengths

and weakneses. Learn to appreciate our desires and hopes,

our problems, our fears. If we truly know one another,

a solid and firm basis will exist for the maintenance

of the friendly relations between the African and the

American peoples, which - We are convinced - both so

ardently desire. You may be assured that there will be

no failure in the warm and brotherly response from our

side.

In the midst of the strife and turmoil which marks

Africa today, the African peoples still extend the hand

of friendship. But it is extended to those who desire the

progress and the political and economic freedom of the

African people, who are willing generously and without

thought of selfish gain to assist us to our feet that we may

stand by their side as brothers. We are convinced that

there are countless millions of such to be found throughout

the world. We know that those to whom We send

this message, who are today assembled in New York

City to join in celebration of Africa Freedom Day, are

numbered among them. To them, We send Our warmest

greetings and Our prayers that the purpose which today

unites them may be soon realised.

We must thank the American Committee on Africa

which has made it possible for Us to send these words

to you today. The cause which you espouse is a noble

and just one and, with the help of Almighty God, will

triumph.“

Speeches delivered by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie Ist Emperor of Ethiopia on various occasions - page 117 -