ON THE BEGINNINGS OF AFRICAN
UNITY
TO THE ACCRA CONFERENCE (Conference of Independent African
States)
April 15, 1958
The convening of the Conference of Independent African States
in Ghana, where responsible statesmen representing a free
government are gathering to consider common problems, is a
great and momentous event.
As an integral part of the African Continent, Ethiopia looks
back with pride to the role which she has played in the history
of the development of Africa, and looks forward with confidence
to the future of this great continent.
In
her long and glorious history, Ethiopia, has time and again,
had to struggle against overwhelming odds to preserve intact
her traditional freedom and independence and to guarantee
from generation to generation the right of free men to work
out their own destiny without interference or hindrance. The
world is only now coming to realize what Ethiopia and Africa
have long recognized, that peace, independence and the prosperity
of mankind can be achieved and assured only by the collective
and united efforts of free men who are prepared to maintain
eternal vigilance and labour unceasingly to protect these
most precious of God's gifts. The sympathy and support which
Ethiopia received from other African peoples when she was
invaded twenty-three years ago is ample testimony of the strong
sentiments which unite all free African countries.
In our own lifetime the world has undergone changes more
sweeping and striking than those seen during any similar period
in history. Technical and scientific advances have combined
to raise mankind to a level of material achievement never
before realized. It is the duty and responsibility of the
Independent African States to further this developmed and
to bring the benefits of modern civilization to increasingly
large numbers of people in Africa.
However, as man's capacity to improve his own lot has grown,
so has his power to spread havoc and destruction correspondingly
increased. The Independent African States must assure that
the growing weight of Africa is enlisted on the side of peace
and justice to the end of avoiding a third holocaust which
could well engulf the entire world and result in the total
destruction of mankind.
But
dwarfing even man's material achievements in the twentieth
century has been the emergence of peoples all over the world
into freedom and independence. Today, for the first time,
men everywhere to whom freedom and independence were, but
a short time ago, only words, and for whom economic and political
self-determination were no more than far-distant goals, have
achieved the status of free men and are directing their efforts
and energies to their own advancement. We are particularly
gratified and proud that this development has been so marked
and widespread on the great continent of Africa.
Africa will no longer be the "unknown continent", for its
human and material resources are beyond measure, and this
great continent now stands on the verge of an economic, political
and cultural development which, when realized, will be without
parallel in history. In this development, Ethiopia will have
its own particular, and we feel, important role to play. It
is for this reason that we have charged Our beloved Son Prince
Sahle Selassie with the high mission to be Our personal representative
and the head of the Ethiopian Delegation to the Conference
of Independent African States. Ethiopia knows how hard-won
is independence and how vital it is that men be jealous of
their freedom and be ever prepared to defend it. Ethiopia
knows, as her history has taught her, that the world is small,
and that co-operation among all nations of the world, East
and West alike, is not only possible and desirable, but indispensible
for the welfare of mankind. Ethiopia knows that the willingness
of the Independent States of Africa to co-operate and work
together in solving their common problems and achieving their
common goals is essential to the continued progress of the
African peoples.
It is a propitious omen for the future that at this very
moment the free nations of Africa are giving tangible evidence
of their determination to work together not only for their
own good but for the good of Africa and the entire world.
The task is great. It demands wise judgment and statesmanship
of the highest order. It requires unceasing labour, a dedication
to fundamental principles and objectives and a determination
to overcome all obstacles, however large. He who suffers conquers,
and in the final resort, wins the crown of victory. We pray
that Almighty God will bless the Conference with strength
and wisdom and crown its efforts with success.
Belgrade | Jamaica
| Pan African Conference | American
Committee on Africa
|