TO OAU ON RHODESIA
On Our own
behalf and that of the government and people of Ethiopia, We would like to
extend a hearty welcome to Addis Ababa to all members of the Delegations who
are here to attend the Sixth Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers
of the Organization of African Unity. There is no need for Us to tell you that
you should feel very much at home in a brotherly country.
You are meeting
today in this very Hall which gave birth to the Organization of African Unity
barely two and half years ago in order to consider and find solution to the
Southern Rhodesian situation which has posed a grave challenge not only to the
Organization of African Unity but also to the independence of Our individual
States and indeed to the national Liberation Movements of Angola, Mozambique,
South-West Africa, South Africa, etc.
In view of this,
your main task will be to discuss ways and means of how to implement the
provisions of the Resolution which was passed by the recent Accra Summit Conference
of the Organization of African Unity. We have already made it clear that if
decided upon jointly with other African States Ethiopia is prepared to
undertake whatever sacrifices are required.
The Unilateral
Declaration of Independence which was announced by a racist white settler government
on November 11, 1965, though expected, had shocked and terrified freedom-1oving
humanity. That four million Africans should be condemned to servitude by
illegal seizure of power by a rebel premier, is one of the wicked aspects of
colonialism and imperialism. Although the situation in Southern Rhodesia has
become a matter of serious concern to all peoples, We should not lose sight of
the fact that the oppression and suffering of the four million Africans in
Southern Rhodesia is in particular offensive to the dignity of Africa.
The United Kingdom
Government which has constitutional responsibility to lead the colony of
Rhodesia to majority rule, except for a declaration to apply sanctions, has so
far failed to put down the rebellion in Rhodesia and restore law and order in
that strife-torn country.
The recent
Resolution passed by the Security Council of the United Nations recommending
economic sanctions against Rhodesia even though it did not satisfy African
demands should be fully supported and implemented to quell the rebellion which
has clearly been established as threatening international peace and security.
We hope that the measures so far taken will have the effect of making this
illegal government realize that the policy that they have embarked on will only
lead to disaster and make them reconsider their untenable position and resort
to the way of sanity and reason.
Drastic Measures Needed
Following the resolution adopted by the recent Accra Summit Conference of
the Organization of African Unity, We must renew our appeal to all nations not to
recognize the illegal white minority regime of Southern Rhodesia.
The Conference should once again call upon
the United Kingdom Government to employ drastic measures beyond economic
sanctions to crush the rebellion.
As We have already pointed out earlier,
the main task of this Conference is to discuss the implementation of the
provisions of the Resolution on Southern Rhodesia adopted by the Accra Summit.
In attempting to put into action this Resolution, the Organization of African
Unity member States should enlist the support of friendly powers.
In this hour of trial for the continent of
Africa, all Africans should sink their minor differences and unite their
efforts to rescue their Zimbabwe brethren whose rights, liberty and freedom
have been trampled upon by a settler minority racist regime which has illegally
seized power in defiance of world public opinion and in violation of basic
principles of international law.
Particularly, it is imperative that the Zimbabwe
Nationalist Parties should put away their petty differences and forthwith form
a united front in the face of their national adversity. They must be prepared
to fight to the death for the freedom and independence of their homeland.
Now is the time for them to prove
themselves worthy of their name – freedom fighters. Now is the time for them to
commit themselves to the motto of a famous freedom fighter: “Give me liberty or
give me death.” They can count on the unswerving support of free Africa.
All forces of good
wherever they may be found must be mobilized to uproot the white supremacists
in Rhodesia and in Southern Africa. All freedom loving peoples must co-operate
to destroy this deadly cancer of human liberty and equality. After all, at
issue is not the loss of freedom to four million Africans, but the survival of
human liberty. The world therefore should not condone the perpetration of one
of the greatest political crimes in human history.
We pray that
Almighty God will give you guidance on the accomplishment of your task.
July 7, 1966.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie
– page 280 –
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