AT
THE PAFMECA CONFERENCE
February 2, 1962
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 hue acted
as a host to African leaders, and the results achieved during
put Conferences give cause for pride and a sense of accomplishment
on the pan 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 CountriesX 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 l9th 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 ad 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 egoist 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 distinguushed 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 unanned and defenseless 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 terdtories 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 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 thdr present course of dissection and
internecine strife, they would continue to be a pawn of neo-colonialist
diplomacy 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 preoccupying
African States with quamls among themselves and obstructing
their development programmes and thus creating conditions
for neocolonialism 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 Rself 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.
Accra Conference
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Africa | Belgrade
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