OPENING THIRD SESSION OF THE SUMMIT
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government
On behalf of the Government and people of
Ethiopia, and also on Our behalf, We extend a warm welcome to you all who are
gathered here today at this solemn meeting in Our capital.
We recall that three years ago we met in this
hall to find ways and means of resolving the problems which then faced our
continent. At that meeting which has become a great landmark in the annals of
African history, we succeeded to put aside our differences and unanimously
adopted and signed the historic document, the Charter of the Organization of
African Unity.
In spite of obstacles, we have succeeded in
establishing the Organization of African Unity. This we have achieved because
the unity which we seek stemmed from the deep conviction which the people of
Africa hold for the acceleration of their political, social and economic
development. The fact that we succeeded in laying the foundation of our unity
was due primarily to the desire of all Africans to unite in a common struggle
against colonialism, poverty, disease and ignorance which are enemies of
Africa.
In order that what we have
set for ourselves to carry out may be realized in its full significance, and so
that the Charter does not remains a mere historical milestone, we should in
concert continue to work with the same vigour and dedication as we have done in
the past. To this end, and in accordance with the Charter,
we ought to continue meeting once every year to review the year’s activities
and to chart the course of action for the coming year. We should take it upon
ourselves to acquaint our peoples with the progress of our achievements and
with the programmes of work we set for the future.
The Charter of the Organization of African
Unity has become the embodiment of all the aspirations of the African peoples.
Some of the great aims of the Charter include the fostering of unity and solidarity
among Member-States; the co-ordination of their efforts to raise the standard
of living of their people; the defence and preservation of their sovereignty,
territorial integrity and independence and the eradication of all forms of
colonialism, and the promotion of international co-operation.
Since May 1963 when the Organization of
African Unity came into being, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government
met twice while the Council of Ministers met several times, in ordinary and
extraordinary sessions, to deal with Africa’s political, economic, social and
cultural problems.
We draw encouragement from the important
developments that have taken place in Africa and from the achievements recorded
in various fields. Africa has come a long way on the road to freedom and
progress and has played an active role in the community of nations.
The conference We are opening today is yet another
evidence, among many, of our devotion and dedication to the cause of our
continent and its people. In this spirit, we shall continue to discharge our
duty to this continent for those two hundred and fifty million inhabitants for
whom we are responsible, and, at the same time endeavour not to fail to play an
active role in world affairs.
In Transition
Africa, like the rest of the world, is
today, more than ever, passing through a transitional period from the Africa
that was to the Africa that is to be. We have now begun to tread the path of
the future, and the task that we have set for ourselves to carry out in
building a better and secure tomorrow for Africa is an arduous one. Having
emerged from a period of darkness, Africa is in the process of becoming a
totally free continent. Since the birth of Our Organization, the unity and
solidarity of Africa are steadily growing in strength. The voice of 250 million
Africans now heard at international gatherings is gaining momentum day by day.
Nevertheless, if we wish to strengthen our unity, we must overcome the factors
that tend to balkanize and weaken our continent.
When we met to establish our Organization,
foreign circles went so far as to declare that African unity was a dream that
could not be realized. They assumed that Africa was torn in different directions,
bent by interstate feuds, and ventured to predict that instead of unity there
would be chaos and dissention. However, by our steadfastness and devotion to
Africa’s noble cause, we have proved them wrong. The Organization of African
Unity, having exerted all efforts to defend with courage and conviction against
the forces that undermine African unity, has emerged triumphant.
We, Member States, should walk the path of
African unity with unfaltering faith. Ethiopia, for her part, will spare no
effort to see to it that our solidarity and unity are maintained and
strengthened. Africa must speak with one voice ringing out in powerful,
harmonious tones. Our Organization provides us with suitable means of finding
peaceful solutions to disputes arising among Member-States. It enables us to
examine and execute measures which are essential for the defence of our
continent and also helps us to adopt and undertake joint programmes of
co-operation in political, social, economic and cultural fields which are vital
to Africa.
Areas of Co-operation
In point of fact, the creation of the
African Development Bank has given us a good basis for promoting economic
co-operation. It is, therefore, in our interest to strengthen this institution
and likewise the economic ties that already exist among Member-States.
In the cultural field, Africa faces many
problems, mainly, as a result of the poor level of education and the lack of
adequate contacts among its peoples. In view of this, great efforts must be
made in the fields of education – a key to development – so as to provide
Africa with the professional and qualified technicians needed for its
advancement.
Bearing in mind the speed with which the
Organization of African Unity has developed, and anxious to further strengthen
it with the rest of the Member-States, Ethiopia shall contribute her share in
giving every consideration so that the human as well as the material resources
available to the Organization are wisely and effectively utilized. The
resources at the disposal of the Organization should be evaluated in terms of
the relative needs and mutual usefulness to the Member-States. Particular care
must also be taken to avoid embarking upon costly projects for which
Member-States have neither the necessary financial resources nor adequate
technicians. Caution is necessary, lest such ambitious programmes may result in
failure, which in turn would cause loss of interest and shake the confidence of
Member-States in the Organization of African Unity. In this connection, the
special committee which has been entrusted with the task of studying the
problems facing the various branches of the Organization has submitted its
recommendation and it deserves to be closely examined by all Member-States.
Today, the main problems that should
concern us most and engage our attention are: the defence of Africa’s freedom,
the liberation of our brothers who are still under colonial rule, the promotion
of economic and social progress and the efficient and effective exploitation of
our natural resources, the broadening of our respective systems of national
education, the development of the health and well-being of our peoples and the
safeguarding of the interests of Africa by taking concerted actions both in the
political and economic fields.
Two New States
In spite of great handicaps, the process
of decolonization continues. In this connection, we should like to congratulate
the two new independent States of Botswana and Lesotho on their attainment of
independence and welcome their membership to our Organization. We are confident
that these two African sister States will contribute their share to the
enterprise and endeavours of our Organization. We are well aware of the very
special geographical and political situation in which these two States are
placed. The Organization of African Unity should give them political and moral
support and, in concert with the United Nations Organization, guarantee their
independence and freedom.
As far as the question of colonialism is concerned,
Ethiopia’s stand is clear. In accordance with her ideals of freedom, Ethiopia
today, as in the past, is committed to defend the rights of the oppressed.
Ethiopia has and shall continue to strive for the complete eradication of
racial discrimination from the African Continent. She is fully aware that
racial discrimination means the negation of the moral equality of all men and
the deprivation of the African of his dignity and personality. As long as
apartheid is practised in South Africa, Africa will have to continue to
intensify her opposition until that scourge is totally annihilated from our
continent. Though apartheid, that most repugnant and inhuman system of
oppression that man has ever known, is still being unscrupulously practised by
the government of South Africa, yet those countries that can bring pressure to
bear upon it economically have refused to do so. We therefore appeal to these
countries to discontinue their trade with South Africa, until such a time when
that country changes its policy and grants its inhabitants their freedom.
Case
of South-West Africa
For
a number of years now the problem of South-West Africa has become the major
concern of the African countries. Liberia and Ethiopia, as former members of
the League of Nations, acting on behalf of all the African States, had sued
South Africa for violating her mandate in South-West Africa by introducing the
policy of apartheid into that territory and by failing in her obligation to
promote the interest of the African population.
After six
years of litigation, the International Court of Justice decided that the two
States did not establish legal status in the case to stand before the Court,
thus reversing its judgment of jurisdiction given in 1962. This unfortunate
decision has profoundly shaken the high hopes that mankind had placed in the
International Court of Justice. The faith man had that justice can be rendered
is shattered and the cause of Africa betrayed.
Having failed in preparing the people of South-West
Africa for independence, South Africa has betrayed the trust given to it by the
League of Nations. In view of this and its stubborn refusal to carry out the
resolutions of the United Nations in this connection, it becomes all the more
appropriate to terminate South Africa’s mandate over the territory. Mindful of
this, We heartily welcome the recent decision of the United Nations which revoked
South Africa’s mandate over South-West Africa and thus placing it instead under
its own administration. On this occasion We would like to congratulate all
Member States of the United Nations which supported the resolution and
especially the two great powers, the United States and the Soviet Union.
Rhodesia
In
Rhodesia, the situation has deteriorated. A year ago, a foreign white minority
declared unilateral independence. By so doing, the illegal regime condemned the
African majority to servitude. After the illegal declaration of independence,
the Government of the United Kingdom, the authority administering that colony,
announced the application of economic sanctions against the rebel regime to
force it to return to the rule of law. It was obvious that the sanctions
imposed would prove to be ineffective. Faced with such a situation, the
Government of the United Kingdom was urged to use force – if necessary – to
quell the rebellion. Unfortunately, the British Government so far displayed
reluctance to use force.
Since
the economic and political sanctions imposed by Great Britain have proved
ineffective so far, We are convinced that if future dangerous developments in
the very heart of Africa are to be avoided, the Government of the United
Kingdom should put down the illegal regime in Rhodesia by all means at its
disposal including the use of force.
It is our duty to help the freedom fighters of
Zimbabwe to intensify their struggle to liberate their country. On this
occasion, we could reassure them of our continued support. We would like to
take this opportunity to convey Our sincere congratulations to President
Kenneth Kaunda and the Government of the Republic of Zambia for their efforts
and sacrifices in the struggle for the liberation of tile people of Zimbabwe.
The Government of Portugal stubbornly holds on to the
outmoded concept of regarding its African colonial territories as Portuguese
overseas provinces. Portugal has incessantly oppressed the African nationalists
and has constantly challenged the many resolutions adopted by the United
Nations and our own Organization, calling upon her to grant independence to her
colonies. We should therefore continue the struggle until the Government of
Portugal succumbs to the inevitability of granting independence to her
colonies. We should also call once again on all countries concerned to refrain
from supplying Portugal with arms.
We are specially concerned about the Territory of
Djibouti. Everyone is aware of the geographical, ethnical and economical ties
that bind the Territory of Djibouti with Ethiopia. Since we have already
expressed Our views on this matter on several occasions in detail, We shall not
dwell on it at this point.
World Peace
At this juncture, We wish to give due regard to
problems that affect world peace. In this connection, We refer to the situation
in South-East Asia. The Vietnam question continues to engage the attention of
the whole world. If the present situation persists, it will have incalculable
consequences. We should therefore appeal to all parties concerned to agree to a
“cease-fire” and negotiate a settlement on the basis of the 1954 Geneva
Agreement.
It is with sadness that We recall here the recent unfortunate
incident of the Guinea delegation, led by its Foreign Minister while enroute to
Addis Ababa. Upon learning this news and noting the seriousness of the matter
We sent within hours one of Our Cabinet Ministers to Accra and Conakry with a
view to obtaining the release of the delegation so as to enable them to proceed
to Addis Ababa. Similarly, the Council of Ministers of our Organization
considering the gravity of this question despatched a three-man delegation to
both Accra and Conakry. It was Our expressed hope that their efforts would
achieve fruitful results and consequently enable the Guinea delegation to
participate in the present Session of the OAU. However, all attempts made so
far being in vain, it is, therefore, necessary for us to take this matter as an
important item for our deliberation.
The agenda we have before us is a very important one.
We pray that our deliberations may proceed in an atmosphere of harmony and
understanding, and We ask the Almighty God for His guidance in this regard.
Nov. 6,
1966.
Important Utterances of H.I.M.
Emperor Haile Selassie I - page 384 - &
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 285 -
