THE PAFMECA CONFERENCE
It is a privilege for us Ethiopians to
welcome in Our midst such a distinguished gathering of African nationalist
leaders and freedom fighters of this region on the occasion of the opening of
the Conference of the Pan-African Freedom Movement of East and Central Africa
here in our Capital city of Addis Ababa. This is not the first time that Addis
Ababa has acted as a host to African leaders, and the results achieved during
past Conferences give cause for pride and a sense of accomplishment on the part
of those who took part in them. We are equally certain that this Conference,
which convenes today, will contribute significantly to the goals of African
Independence and Unity.
We specially
welcome the Delegations of the newly independent sister African State of
Tanganyika, whose leader Mr. Julius Nyerere has played such a prominent role in
the initiation and promotion of the ideals of P.A.F.M.E.C.A. We are also happy
to note that P.A.F.M.E.C.A. is drawing into its folds, for the first time since
its inception, several Independent African States namely, Tanganyika, the
Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. This will no doubt be a strong factor to
accelerate the freedom movement of Our region. The fact that new nations are
recognizing the importance of this movement and the impact which it can have in
shaping the future region should be a source of satisfaction and encouragement
to us all.
This Conference meets at a critical
juncture in the historical development of the countries of East and Central
Africa. While We rejoice at the recent accession to independence of several
African Countries, We are full of hope and confidence that the remaining
dependent territories, who find themselves under colonial rule, will soon find
themselves amidst us as members of a community of free nations.
Ethiopia, as the oldest independent African State, has
had bitter experiences in maintaining the continuity of that Independence down
throughout the centuries. The bitter struggle our country had to pass through
in the 19th and 20th centuries, when our own very survival as a sovereign and
independent African State was threatened, is well known. This struggle reached
its climax when one of the then principal colonial powers launched unprovoked
aggressions against Ethiopia in 1896 and in 1935. But the bravery and gallantry
of the Ethiopian nationalist forces which were amply displayed in those years
not only saved our country but also contributed to a substantial degree to the
liberation of Africa. In her struggles, Ethiopia fought not only for herself
but for all Africa, and the triumph of this Continent over the forces of
imperialism and colonialism is in some small measure a vindication and a record
for the hardships and perils of years past.
Source of Inspiration
It is a historical fact that Ethiopia’s
struggle against colonialism and imperialism has been a source of inspiration
to all the coloured peoples of the world. This struggle of Ethiopia had earned
her the active opposition of all the colonial powers who had systematically
followed a policy of containing and isolating Ethiopia from the rest of Africa.
This was accompanied by a continuous barrage of hostile propaganda
misrepresenting Ethiopian reality to the outside world and particularly Africa.
However, this policy was frustrated and Ethiopia continued to exist as a
sovereign and independent country though the threat had never been removed.
During this period the relentless struggle of our people to maintain the
independence of their country had won the sympathy and moral support of the
entire world and gave meaning and form to the present Pan-African Movement. At
this point it would be fitting to pay tribute to such distinguished
personalities as Mr. Jomo Kenyatta, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Dr.
W. E. Du Bois, and others who had completely identified themselves with our
struggle against colonialism and imperialism in trying years.
It is common knowledge that after the close of the
second World War the African Liberation Movement had gathered momentum and
penetrated the length and breadth of the entire continent of Africa. In the
period since the war We have seen the birth of over twenty-six independent
African States, who have gained full membership in the U. N. and this number
will undoubtedly go on increasing as each year sees the emergence of still more
new states to independence. Ethiopia is justly proud of the role she has played
in this development.
New African Nations
Next October We will be happy to welcome
Uganda into the community of Independent African States. We are confident that
after the next constitutional conference which is due to take place in two
weeks time, Kenya’s independence too as a unified State will not be
unnecessarily delayed.
Despite the recent unfortunate events that
have taken place in Ruanda-Urundi and the setback the African nationalists have
suffered in the loss of their dedicated nationalist leader, the late Prince
Rwagasore, We have to hope that Ruanda-Urundi will attain its cherished goal of
independence in March 1962 in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
However, when We turn our attention to the
Rhodesias and the Portuguese Colonies of Angola and Mozambique and others We
find the prospects rather gloomy. The recent banning of the National Democratic
Party led by Mr. Joshua Nkomo in Southern Rhodesia, and the arrest and
imprisonment of many of its leading members did not pass without arousing the
indignation of all freedom loving peoples.
The situation in Northern Rhodesia is
equally grave. There too We find the United National Independent Party, which
has the support of the African majority of that country led by the
distinguished nationalist leader Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, banned and suppressed in
some parts of the country. We deplore the measures taken by the colonialist
regime to frustrate legitimate African aspirations for justice, freedom and
independence. We are sure that ultimately our African brothers there will
emerge victorious and attain the goal they have set for themselves.
Task Unfinished
Compared with these
two territories the prospects in Nyasaland look somewhat brighter. But even
there We are aware that much still remains to be done. We extend, therefore,
our wholehearted support and encouragement to our distinguished brother, the
honourable Dr. Hastings Banda, in his endeavour to assure African majority rule
in his country.
The situation in Zanzibar too merits our
full attention. It is of paramount importance in our view that the African
majority of that island nation be allowed to play the leading role in shaping
the destiny of their country unhindered by outside interference and intrigue.
As regards the tragic situation obtaining
in Angola, Mozambique and the others, We deplore Portugal’s policy of
suppression of unarmed and defenceless peaceful African inhabitants who have no
other fault than demanding their right of self-determination and independence.
In our view, the Portuguese colonies are non-self-governing territories and all
the good that Portugal can do in the interest of peace is to co-operate with
the United Nations and comply with its resolutions and negotiate with the
nationalist leaders with a view to working out the programme and time-table of
its colonies’ accession to independence.
With respect to the question of the future
status of Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland, We are disturbed by the slow
pace of political, constitutional, economic and social progress of our fellow
Africans in these territories. It is incumbent upon Great Britain to apply the
same wisdom it had applied to its former colonies in Africa and Asia and
likewise to speed up the political and constitutional advance of the African
inhabitants of these territories so as to assure their early accession to
independence.
The apartheid
policy of the racist government of the white minority in South Africa continues
to subject our African brothers, who constitute the overwhelming majority in that
country, to untold humiliation and oppression.
So much has been
said in the past about sanctions and measures to be taken against South Africa,
but unfortunately little has been done to force the Union Government to change
its policy. It is therefore imperative that all those who have the interest of
the Africans at heart should start thinking in new lines than hitherto
undertaken in order to effectively assist our African brothers to deliver them
out of the bondage under which they find themselves at present in that unhappy
country.
The unfortunate condition in which our
African brothers find themselves in South-West Africa under the notorious and
deplorable policy of apartheid and ruthless administration of South Africa is equally
depressing and intolerable. However, We are convinced that before long the
continued efforts of the United Nations and the legal proceedings instituted at
the International Court of Justice by Our Government and that of Our sister
State of Liberia will bear fruit.
The Congo Crisis
Nineteen months
have now elapsed since the Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville) acceded to
independence, but because of persistent foreign interference in its internal
affairs that sister African State has not been able so far to consolidate its
unity and to enjoy the blessings of its independence. Consequently the
intervention of the United Nations in the Congo was made necessary in order to
assist the Central Government to restore law and order and to maintain the
territorial integrity of the country. But while We appreciate the immense
difficulties posed by disruptive outside interference, nevertheless the task of
reintegrating the administration of the territory largely remains the
responsibility of the Congolese themselves. Certain of Our Congolese brothers
should let history pass a severe judgment on them because of their seeming lack
of patriotism at these critical moments. All those who aspire to leadership in
that sister country should realize that they will be accountable to posterity
for all their activities. Should they proceed on their present course of
dissention and internecine strife, they would continue to be a pawn of
neo-colonialist diplo-macy and thus endanger not only their country but also
the entire continent of Africa. We therefore call upon them to take heed of
this solemn warning and pursue the best interests of their country and that of
Africa.
Pan-Africanism
As We have stated earlier a greater part
of Africa has got rid of colonial rule. But colonialism has left behind various
problems. It has fostered tribal, religious and linguistic differences with the
deliberate intention of preoccupy-ing African States with quarrels among
themselves and obstructing their development programmes and thus creating
conditions for neo-colonialism to thrive. The Africans have advanced the
concept of Pan-Africanism as the best method of resolving African problems and
of further strengthening African Independence and Unity.
Ethiopia has fully identified herself with
the Pan-African Movement, in the furtherance of which cause she has already
proposed at the 16th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations the
establishment of the Organization of African States. We are pleased to state
that this same proposal has received unanimous acceptance by the Independent
African States at the recent Conference in Lagos.
You are now meeting
here to lay the foundation for the establishment of a regional federation of
the East and Central African countries. Although this objective presupposes the
total emancipation of the territories of Our region, most of which still finds
itself under Colonial rule, this should not hinder the already Independent
States of our region from going ahead and working out the practical
arrangements that would give form and substance to this objective.
The eyes of all Africa and indeed of the
world are focused upon this Conference and it is Our earnest hope that the
outcome of your deliberations will measure up to the expectations of the
peoples of this region and indeed the whole of Africa.
Africa, together with the rest of the
non-aligned world, has emerged as a positive force for peace and harmony on our
planet. While striving to realize our aspirations and ideals, therefore, all
our efforts and resources should as well be directed towards the advancement of
this all-important aim. May God grant you the wisdom in your endeavour to
accomplish the task before you.
Feb. 2, 1962.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 230 –
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