ETHIOPIA AND O.A.U.
…..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…..
….. 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 Africans 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 brother-hood 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 settle 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 freedom 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 to 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 throughout the past year. Armed bands have infiltrated
Ethiopia’s territory and committed acts of aggression and sabotage. By these
methods, 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 respect 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 …..
Nov. 9, 1964.
Selected Speeches of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 273 -
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| Foreign Minister Ketema Yifru, Prime Minister Aklilu Habtewold, and Emperor Haile Selassie |
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