THE PAFMECA CONFERENCE,Feb 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 Ababs. 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. ``