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 be-coming 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 Develop-ment 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
profes-sional 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 en-trusted 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 na-tional 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 coun-tries. 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 rebel-lion. 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 con-sequences. 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 un-fortunate 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 -
