AFRICAN UNITY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
….. The expansion and improvement of the
intra-African telecommunications network is one of the basic necessities to
attain our goal of African unity. If we consider the present state of African
telecommunications, we note that when any African country communicates with
another African country by telephone or telegram it must often be made through
transit centres situated outside Africa. These circuits are consequently
expensive and often technically unusable and certainly not rapid. If this
situation is not rectified in the near future the development of Africa in all
fields will be seriously handicapped.
Rapid communication
between African countries is one of the most important tools by which we can
promote development in Africa. It is to be remembered that we have discussed
this problem several times, but the anticipated progress of intra-African
communications has not been achieved.
It is believed that you are here today to
discuss collectively the Dakar African Telecommunications Plan of 1962, and the
World Telecommunications Plan of Rome of 1963 and the methods by which the
implementation of these plans can be achieved.
To fulfil those plans immediately on a
continental basis would inevitably call for very heavy investment. It will thus
probably be necessary to implement them step by step in accordance with our
economic capabilities.
We, therefore, hope that you will make a
serious effort to carry out your task and reach a successful solution and that
this conference will mark a milestone in the development of African
telecommunications. …..
Mar. 8, 1966.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 574 –
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