Colonialism

Haile Selassie I

Selected Speeches

Chapter III

Inter-Africa

Speech To O.A.U. On Rhodesia
Jul. 07, 1966

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 give 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 taks 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 governement on November 11, 1965, though expected,
had shocked and terrified freedom-loving 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 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 emply drastic measures beyond economic sanctions to
crush the rebellion.

As We hae 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 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