Author: Crown Council

A Statement from the Crown Council of Ethiopia by its President, His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie

Ethiopians around the world share with joy the news that our Prime Minister, Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, has been named the recipient of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

The 27-year old journalist credits Abiy’s peace deal with Eritrea last year for reuniting him with his father. Like thousands of other families they had been separated by two decades of hostility with Ethiopia’s longtime enemy.The Award was specifically to recognize Dr Abiy’s “efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea”.

We recognize that he took a vital step in the reconstruction not only of Ethiopia, but of our entire region of peoples of our common family. Dr Abiy’s gesture toward restoring familial relations with Eritrea was a genuine and spontaneous act of reconciliation between the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It was immediately reciprocated by the Eritrean People and leadership. It was a gesture based on the restoration of justice for individual people of our family of nations, and, as such, certainly merited recognition by the international community.

Dr Abiy’s action restored the unity of many families, and restored hope to so many people. It was, indeed, a vital early step in the reconstruction of the dignity, history, and mutual respect of all of the peoples of our great family.

The Crown Council not only applauds Dr Abiy and congratulates him for the Nobel Peace Prize, but urges that we all see this as the start of the restoration of the mutual respect with which all Ethiopians – and those of our extended family in Eritrea, Djibouti, and the Somali peoples – greet and treat each other. We join in urging respect for the great traditions and languages which make distinct each society of our family, knowing that we all share a common value and identity – our Ethiopianness, formal or informal – under which we can value the distinct pride of our various regions and their respective governments.

God Bless Prime Minister Abiy. God Bless Ethiopia.

Remarks at the Ethiopian Embassy, Washington, DC, on 16 Hamle 2011 (July 23, 2019) by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

Today, the 16th of Hamle 2011 (July 23, 2019), marks the 127th anniversary of the birth of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I. In another month, we will mark the 44th anniversary of his murder.

Today, we mark the achievements of his remarkable 83 years of service to Ethiopia, to Africa, to the World, and to God.

The Emperor is generally regarded as the inspiration and guiding hand in creating the Organization of African Unity on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa. But that act was but one aspect of his inspiration to all Africans, and while he remained alive he totally embodied the concept of African dignity, African harmony, and the leadership which Ethiopia could demonstrate to all Africans and those of African descent.

His forebear, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Menelik II, gave the initial rallying call to Africans when, in 1896 in the Western calendar, he and his forces staged the first major defeat in Africa of an invading European power at the Battle of Adwa. But it was Emperor Haile Selassie’s defeat of the invading Italian forces in 1941 which gave the West its first victory in the war against fascism. In that, he inspired not only the West, but all of Africa, and with that action ensured that European colonialism in Africa was to become a thing of the past.

The Emperor, who was the foremost proponent of collective global action, was the great prophet of what would happen if the world succumbed to fascism, when Italy invaded Ethiopia again in 1935. He told the League of Nations: Today it is us; tomorrow it is you.

His Majesty was not only a globalist, but a profoundly passionate nationalist, and an inspiring regionalist. He saw no conflict in his belief that the nation-state of Ethiopia — a collection of jewels of different peoples, languages, and cultures — could become a vibrant and self-reliant entity, while also championing the rise of all African societies within a context of global trade and cooperation. Today, as we see such a great schism between globalists and nationalists in many countries around the world, we would do well to learn from Emperor Haile Selassie. And in Ethiopia itself, we would do well to understand why he championed each and every group and culture within our great common identity as Ethiopians. He did not belittle any component of our great Ethiopian society, but, rather, sought for each facet of our cultures and religions a place in a glittering Ethiopian identity.

In so doing, the Emperor pioneered the creation of modern states in Africa; states which could each embody diverse cultures and peoples. He was, then, the great exemplar of unity, of inclusion, of cooperation, and of ensuring that all people felt valued, inspired, and had the ability to contribute and soar to their fullest destiny.

We thank H.E. Ambassador Fitsum Arega for opening his Embassy doors to us on this historic day. We also wish to thank the organizers of tonight’s event. It has been an amazing year to witness the erection of the statue of His Majesty at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. We are grateful to H. E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Administration for working with the A.U. to make this a reality. We pray that peace prevails in Ethiopia. May God Bless Ethiopia; to Bless and inspire the work of a harmonious and cooperative Africa for which the Emperor worked, and to ask God, most humbly, to Bless the sacred memory of Emperor Haile Selassie I.

His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council, on the 18th of Säne 2011 (June 25, 2019), issued the following statement on behalf of the Council:

The Ethiopian Crown, along with all Ethiopians, mourns the tragic loss of life which occurred in our family of peoples on the 15th of Säne 2011 (June 22, 2019), and the animosities and responses these killings engendered.

We should by now have rejected the tool of assassination and armed violence to resolve our internal concerns. The Crown, along with the Ethiopian People, also mourns and regrets the fact that mis-trust and fear continue to exist in our society between some of the great nations which make up our beloved Ethiopia.

It is obvious that we have a legacy of some four decades of distrust to overcome. But we must return to the view all Ethiopians have equal rights and opportunities.

We have, since the overthrow of legitimate governance by the Dergue, been subjected to policies which denied us our collective history and legitimacy. These deprived us of our birthrights in many respects. But a year ago we began the path back toward normalcy, prosperity, and greatness, and we cannot now allow distrust to continue to find a place within our ranks.

The Ethiopian Crown stands ready to help arbitrate, if called upon, to help rebuild the bridges between our Ethiopian peoples and regions. We send our condolences to the families of those killed on the 15th of Sane 2011. Let us ensure that we learn from this tragedy, and ensure that our Government safeguards the equal rights of all Ethiopians.

We are stronger together. May God Bless Ethiopia.

A Statement by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council

We mourn with all Ethiopians and the international community the tragic loss today of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 on its flight on March 10, 2019, from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya, taking with it 157 souls from 35 countries, including Ethiopia. We particularly mourn for, and with, the families of those passengers and devoted crew who perished.

The accident has a special poignancy because of the incredible efforts which Ethiopian Airlines has made to become the most modern and safest airline in Africa.

We know that the worldwide aviation community will learn lessons from the loss of this new Boeing 737 MAX 8 airliner, and that, as a result, the aviation community and the traveling public will ensure that the loss of the 157 people on Flight ET302 will lead to greater safety for all in the future.

God Bless the families and loved ones of all who perished on ET302, and the souls of the departed.

God Bless Ethiopia!

A Statement by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council

It is with great pride that we have seen the achievements of a member of the Ethiopian Community in Australia recognized in the Australia Day Honours, announced on January 26, 2019. Ato Haileluel Gebre-Selassie, of Victoria, Australia, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the African community of Victoria.

He was, in June 2017, also made a Member of the Order of the Star of Honour of Ethiopia (MSE) by the Ethiopian Crown in recognition for his decades of outstanding leadership within the Ethiopian and African communities of Australia, and for his pioneering work in aiding the establishment of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Australia. I was pleased to have been able to personally invest Ato Haileluel with his MSE during the Crown’s Commemorative Tour of Australia in 2017.

The Crown Council of Ethiopia profoundly congratulates Haileluel Gebre-Selassie on his award of the OAM. He and his fellow Ethiopians of the diaspora have demonstrated the great contributions of Ethiopians to communities around the world. Haileluel typifies those many Ethiopians who, during the four decades of the interregnum, have maintained the unique dignity and sense of our People, in the face of many privations.

They have kept alive the spirit of Ethiopianness while embracing their host countries around the world, contributing not only to their host nations, but also repatriating invaluable financial and moral sustenance to their homeland.

Congratulations, Ato Haileluel, and our thanks to you. God Bless Australia for welcoming and recognizing you!

God Bless Ethiopia!

A Statement by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council

It is with great joy that we welcome the unveiling during the coming week of the first official statue to the blessed memory of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I to be erected on his Continent since the Ethiopian coup of 1974 (2 Maskarram 1967).

It is fitting that this statue should be unveiled at the Headquarters of the African Union during the 32nd African Leaders’ Summit and in the presence of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Dr Abiy Ahmad Ali. The creation of the Organization for African Unity (OAU), the predecessor to the African Union (AU), in 1963 was one of the great achievements which the Emperor, my Grandfather, delivered to the People of Africa.

We thank the African Union and the Government of Ethiopia for ensuring that this healing event is occurring. It is a sign not only of the resurgence and optimism of Africa, but of the great healing which has begun to occur over the past year in Ethiopia and the regional nations which form a family with Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Crown has never wavered in its belief that prosperity, mutual respect, and unity would return to the lands of the Ethiopian families.

We thank the African Union and the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the consideration they have shown in ensuring the participation of the Solomonic Family in the unveiling of this important icon to our shared history. The erection of the statue also commemorates the tireless and diligent work behind the scenes of those Ethiopians who helped to create the OAU.

We ask for God’s Blessing on this solemn yet joyous occasion, and on those who work for the restoration of Ethiopia’s ancient history and values, and who work for peace and prosperity throughout Africa.

God Bless Ethiopia! God Bless the African Union!

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The President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, was featured on January 26, 2019, on the nationally-syndicated US radio program, the John Batchelor Show, and Prince Ermias discussed the issue of the erection of the statue to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, and much more besides. Please listen in to the two-part radio program on the following podcast links:

A Statement by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of our former President, Girma Wolde-Giorgis. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and to the Ethiopian people he served for many years.

The Almighty had blessed President Girma with a long life. He served his people with wisdom, tenacity, and bold leadership. His love for his people and his Ethiopia was exemplified by his spirit of volunteerism, service, and compassion.

His wise counsel and tireless efforts will be missed. He will remain as an exemplary statesman for coming generations.

May the Almighty grant solace to his family and grant his soul eternal peace.

HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie Haile Selassie, for the Crown Council of Ethiopia.

A Statement by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council

The All people in the Horn of Africa must feel a profound sense of optimism that, for the first time in many decades, our extended family of peoples has begun to return to a path of amity, friendship, cooperation, and mutual support.

Not only have we begun to see the revival of familial relations between the peoples and governments of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti — who have been so intertwined over the centuries — we have seen the prospect of greater cooperation between our societies and those other states of the region.

This profound work began with the election by the Federal Parliament of Ethiopia of our new Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, on 7 July 2018. He has, since his election, been tireless in his pursuit of a better life for all Ethiopians and all those of our greater regional family. His initiative to end the decades of estrangement between Ethiopia and Eritrea has already had profoundly positive effects, showing how quickly the fortunes and fates of our societies can be transformed.

We are aware of the potential challenges which the Prime Minister and his Government face in their historic task. We understand that there are those who oppose the restoration of the greatness of our extended Ethiopian family. The Crown of Ethiopia urges that we all put aside regional, communal, and ideological differences to ensure that we can return to our sense of shared identity and common interest.

Prime Minister Abiy has given Ethiopians hope. He has given us back the chance to embrace each other as brothers and sisters. We must not allow him to fail.

Long live Ethiopia.