HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie and his wife Wizero Gelila Fesseha seperate

The Crown Council of Ethiopia regrets to announce that, the Chairman of the Crown Council, HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie and his wife Wizero Gelila Fesseha, have been separated since April 2003. Further developments will be announced in due course.

Since the Foundation known as The Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children operates under the umbrella of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, the Crown Council also hereby announces that Wizero Gelila Fesseha is no longer the Co-Patron of this Foundation.

The Crown Council of Ethiopia disassociates itself from The Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation

The Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation, which made its debut at the celebration of the centennial of Ethiopian/American relations, at Howard University, On March 25th 2004, is neither a part of, or is it associated with the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children. The later Foundation works under the Crown Council of Ethiopia and is chaired by HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie.

It is also to be noted that the e-mail address given by the Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation as haileselassiefund.org, has no connection with the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children, which is often referred to, in short, as the Haile Selassie Fund.

In view of the confusion created by the Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation, the Crown Council of Ethiopia considers it as its duty to advice the general public worldwide, to always verify the source of information whenever approached by a Foundation that is said to be established in the name of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I.

The Crown Council and Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children can be reached at: Fax Number 1-843-795-9845. E-Mail Address: info@ethiopiancrown.org.

The contribution of Melake Selam Haddis Woldeyesus and the honorable Mussie Hailu have been recognized by the Crown Council

The contribution of Melake Selam Haddis Woldeyesus

The Crown Council of Ethiopia awarded Melake Selam Haddis Woldeyesus the Medal of The Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela. The award was made at the Launching Ceremony of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela and the Commemoration of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie’s Birth Date which was held on 23rd July 2004, at Charleston South Carolina.

Melake Selam Haddis was recognized for his contribution to uphold and promote the importance of Ethiopia’s ancient history, the people’s deep rooted Orthodox Christian faith, and the country’s historic heritage under the Monarchy, all of which have been closely interlinked for many centuries.

The Honorable Mussie Hailu was given the both the Medal of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela and the first Annual Award for his outstanding contribution to support Development and Humanitarian Programmes and for his tireless effort to promote peaceful coexistence at the national, regional and international levels.

All Ethiopians should be proud of individuals of such integrity and dedication.

The Crown Council welcomes with joy the request from members of the Luso Ethiopian Friendship Association, to also become members of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela

At the Launching Ceremony of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela, both Prince Bekere and Prince Ermias were delighted to receive the request from the Luso Ethiopian Friendship Association in Portugal for all 100 members of the Association to also become members of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela.

The Portuguese Association was formed during the visit of HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie to Portugal, in August 2003. Since then, close ties have been established with the Duke of Braganza and members of the Luso Ethiopian Friendship Association.

Prince Ermias said that “This major step by members of the Portuguese Association to become the first members of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela bears witness to the long existing friendship between the peoples of Portugal and Ethiopia. It also establishes the new Luso Ethiopian Friendship Association on solid grounds.”

The Launching of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela on 24th July 2004, at Charleston, South Carolina, was a major success

THE IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF ST. GEORGE OF LALIBELA CURRENTLY INACTIVE

One hundred distinguished guests participated in the Launching Ceremony of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela and the Commemoration of the 112th Birth of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I, on July 24th 2004.

Former Ambassadors, retired US Army and Air Force Generals, Church leaders, Industrialists, University Professors, Doctors and renowned Artists, some of whom came from as far away as California, attended the ceremony. Ethiopians professionals participated with their families dressed in Ethiopian traditional dress, which added meaning and festivity to the occasion.

Messages of Welcome were received from the Mayor of Charleston Joseph P. Riley, Jr., and from Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina. Furthermore, His Holiness Pope John II; King Juan Carlos of Spain; The Duke of Braganca of Portugal; H.E Dr. Asfa Wossen Asrate Kassa, Chairman of the Executive Board of Orbis Aethiopicus in Germany; and Mr. Joseph Brumit, former Manager of Ethiopian Airlines during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, all sent messages of Congratulation. Prince Ermias announced that Lij. Estifanos Mengesha Seyoum, who had planned to attend the ceremony but was unable to do so, had expressed his regret to him over the telephone, and added that he was supportive of the Mission of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela.

Prince Bekere Fikre Selassie in his Welcoming Address expressed his heart felt thanks to all those who had helped the Crown Council to come this far and also give it hope to be worthy to meet the challenge of the responsibility entrusted to it. Prince Bekere said “As each of us is called upon to give back what he has received from his country, the educated man possesses precious assets of infinite value both to himself and his nation, which he must also share with humanity,”

Both the morning presentation on “The Current Situation of Ethiopia” by Melake Selam Haddis Woldeyesus and the afternoon session on “The Case of Ethiopia” by The Honorable Mussie Hailu were well attended. The Video Presentations and the Question and Answer Sessions made the meeting more participatory. Many of the participants expressed interest to join the Society and also promised to recruit other members. Some participants also said that they will visit Ethiopia to see the historical and religious sites.

The major message of Melake Selam Haddis’s presentation was that “During the time of Emperor Haile Selassie, religion was accepted to be a private matter and the whole territory of the country was believed to belong to all Ethiopians. It is a great pity that our country is now regressing to separatism when the whole world is increasingly becoming one.” He added “I most sincerely believe that if the Ethiopian people are widely made aware of the efforts made to dismantle their traditional form of peaceful coexistence, they will not choose turmoil over peace.” Furthermore, he said “major collective action needs to be taken soon by all Ethiopians, as none of us whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish or other, will be able to escape the adverse impact that will result if things fall apart.”

In concluding Melake Selam Haddis added that Ethiopian history, its ancient Orthodox Church and the Monarchy still have relevance to the Ethiopian way of life. He said that “History is the base from which we learn our previous mistakes, and on which we build our future plans. Our religion is the root of our core being that maintains us steadfast to overcome all adversity and also helps to propel us to achieve higher goals. The System of Government under the Monarch is Ethiopia’s heritage that can still be used to serve the people, even without being part of the Government of the day.”

The major message of the Hon. Mussie Hailu’s presentation was the importance of national unity and effective leadership at all levels. He said that “Throughout its history, it (Ethiopia) has remained the focus of outside invaders. Particularly since the 16th century, it has repulsed time and time again the aspirations of expansionists and colonial powers. Its various nations, nationalities and people, have linked together for centuries, intermingling and interacting with each other. For the last century they have stood together during peace and adversity as one country. Through this unity, heroism and sacrifice, Ethiopia has remained the only non-colonized state in Africa becoming the beacon of independence and freedom for Africa, and colonized peoples around the world.”

Speaking about leadership, Hon Mussie Hailu said that “to alleviate poverty requires committed leadership at all levels of society, from the village to district, state to national and international communities.” Talking about the need to eradicate poverty he added that “we should bear in mind that people in poverty must be empowered through organization and participation in planning and in implementation of the issues that affect them, thus ensuring they become partners in the overall development process.”

In his Keynote Address which was the major highlight of the event, Prince Ermias stated that the objective of the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela is to preserve the ancient history of Ethiopia, its peoples deep rooted Orthodox Christian faith and also the country’s heritage of its administration under the Monarchy.” He said that “history has proved that HIM Emperor Haile Selassie was, indeed, a great man who has left his undeniable mark on his country, Africa, the Caribbean and on the whole world.” He added that since his appointment as President of the Crown Council in 1993, “we have contributed to rehabilitate the name of my distinguished grandfather Emperor Haile Selassie I, and we have also kept the Imperial Family engaged in Ethiopian Affairs, even in the Diaspora.”

Furthermore, Prince Ermias pointed out that “due to lack of a well established office and administrative machinery, we are regrettably losing a great deal of opportunity to assist our country.” Thus, he emphasized the need to establish a well staffed office in Addis Ababa to help the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela and the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children to direct aid from the world for Development Projects in Ethiopia. The Prince also announced his plan to request all Heads of all Christian Churches to Launch a Joint Appeal to request for the return of all religious and cultural artifacts that had been taken out of Ethiopia during the Communist regime and kindly requested all the participants to assist in this major undertaking

The Meeting of the Society will be an Annual Event that will be held on HIM Haile Selassie’s birth date on July 23rd of each year. The Annual Meeting in July 2005 will be held in Washington, DC. The Members of the Society are requested to organize subsequent meetings in their respective regions.

  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, Dr. and Mrs. Daniel K. Gamé, HIH Prince Ermias
  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, Maj Gen Oliver L. Peacock, SCMD, Mrs. Catherine Peacock, HIH Prince Ermias
  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, The Hon. Amb. Weston Adams, Dr. Elizabeth Adams, HIH Prince Ermias
  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, The Hon. Carl Norton, HIH Prince Ermias
  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, Lt Col Stanley Meuser, SCMD, Mrs. Meuser, HIH Prince Ermias
  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, Dr Solomon Tadesse & family, HIH Prince Ermias
  • L-R: HIH Prince Bekere, Dr. & Mrs. Kassamo Dayemo and family, HIH Prince Ermias

The Crown Council had decided to change its direction from the realm of politics to cultural preservation, development, and Humanitarian programmes

In his Keynote Address, at the Black Tie Dinner given to Launch the Imperial Society of St. George of Lalibela and to Commemorate the 112th Birth of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I, on July 24th 2004, at Charleston South Carolina, HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, President of the Crown Council, made the first public announcement that the Crown Council has decided to change its direction from the realm of politics to cultural preservation, development, and humanitarian programmes. 

Prince Ermias said that the decision was reached by the Crown Council after extensive discussion during 2003 and 2004. He added that it had proved to be a wise decision as it has already opened the door for closer cooperation with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Community in the USA. Furthermore, it will enable the Crown Council to promote that additional assistance be given for Development Programmes in Ethiopia.

More detailed information will be posted in the Current Events section of this website. All relevant websites will be adjusted accordingly to reflect this decision.

The foundation is registered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, Patron of the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children is delighted to announce that, on May 12th, 2004, the Ministry of Justice of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, registered the above Foundation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In order to expedite the establishment of the Foundation’s Headquarters in Addis Ababa, it is presently registered as the “Haile Selassie Aid Ethiopia” and has been granted a Certificate of recognition bearing the number 1590. As soon as all the requirements under the Ethiopian law are fulfilled, the name will be changed to “The Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children”, so as to be in line with the name by which it is known worldwide.

Prince Ermias extends his warm Congratulations and his heart felt thanks to all those who had worked tirelessly to bring the Foundation back home.  

Five more scholarship students graduated in May 2004

On May 8th, 2004, HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie attended the Graduation ceremony at La Roche College, Pennsylvania, of five more scholarship recipients from the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children. Out of the twenty-two full scholarships granted through the Foundation, to date, fourteen students have received their BA Degree. The remaining eight are due to graduate in 2005.

At the luncheon organized by the Ethiopian group to celebrate the Graduation, the students and their parents expressed their heart-felt thanks to Prince Ermias for having given the students the opportunity to gain higher education. Furthermore, the students pledged to be of service to their country.

In turn, Prince Ermias expressed his appreciation to the students for having been such good Ambassadors for their country. He also thanked Mr. Tsegaye Kassa and Mr. Abey Tedela who had accompanied him to the Graduation, as well as others who were not present at the Graduation, but who had helped the students in various ways to benefit from higher education. These include: Board Members of the Pacem in Terris Institute at La Roche College in Pennsylvania; Dr. Richard Stevens; Ms. Mary McDavid; Major General Oliver Peacock; Mr. Noah Samara; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Copley; Mr. Mussie Hailu; Mr. Giovani Ruffini; and Mr. Dawit Yohannes.

Quest for stability in East Africa

By Dave Marks Miami Times, April 14-20, 2004

Claiming the stability of East Africa is important for strategic global interests, Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile Selassie of Ethiopia addressed an audience of Pan-Africanists and people concerned about Africa last week at Florida international University. [Prince Ermias] is the President of the Ethiopian Crown Council and a grandson of the former Ethiopian ruler Haile Selassie I.

Since being deposed in 1974, the Ethiopian royal family has lived in exile. But [Prince Ermias] still lobbies on behalf of Ethiopian interests and for the greater interests of the region historically referred to as the Horn of Africa. He hopes to find receptive audiences and seeks to force policy makers to consider the Crown’s point of new.

The Horn is traditionally an important sea route as a large part of world trade goes through the Suez Canal and Red Sea. [Prince Ermias] told The Miami Times: “In the war against terrorism, it’s a strategic location where different forces are converging.”

One of [Prince Ermias]’s major concerns is Ethiopia’s relationship with their northern border nation Eritrea. There has been a volatile situation between the two nations, as Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia, and the two nations had a costly war in the l990s.

[Prince Ermias] felt Eritrea is in economic decline and he accused them of training mercenaries to try to attack and destabilize Ethiopia. “Eritrea wants international sup¬port.” said [Prince Ermias]. “That’s why they will attack.”

With Eritrea being a volatile situation in the north, Ethiopia is currently landlocked without a seaport. [Prince Ermias] felt that without Ethiopia being able to enter into port agreements with neighboring Somaliland and Djibouti, Ethiopia’s economy will be destabilized.

Djibouti was seen as a good alternative by [Prince Ermias], since they are friendly with the U.S. and assisting in the war on terrorism. Somaliland presents a problem. Although [Prince Ermias] would like to see Ethiopia enter into a port agreement with them, Somaliland is not recognized as a separate nation from Somalia.

Somalia is the southern half of the territory and a former Italian colony, but there is no government in Somalia. Somaliland is the northern half that was ruled colonially by the British, but it has a stable government that broke away from the south in 1991. However it is not recognized.

“Africa’s wealth has been its curse, that’s why it’s attracted outside exploitations, said [Prince Ermias]. We must promote awareness. education and people-to-people dialogue. Some countries are moving toward& that but it will take some time.”

Many in the audience at Florida International University seemed to be interested in the whole “Selassie Rastafari Lion of Judah” aspect of the Crown.

That has been referred to popularly as Rastafarianism, as a religion/movement that seems to have strong roots in Jamaica and was made more popular by the late international reggae superstar Bob Marley. [Prince Ermias] seemed to shy away from questions from audience members that seemed to back the belief that his grandfather is to be deified. There was also slight controversy when two female students spoke out at the question and answer session and tried to suggest to everyone in attendance that they should be worshipping Jesus alone.

[Prince Ermias] felt the Crown can play a role in contributing to a better understanding between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He also felt the Crown should have a place in future Ethiopian society, but he would not like to see the old monarchy return, he believes in democracy.

We have to use the best of our traditional cultures, but make a climate where democracy can thrive.” said [Prince Ermias].

HIH Prince Ermias named to Board of Directors of the National Slavery Museum

By ELIZABETH PEZZULLO

National Slavery Museum holds groundbreaking; additional details of venture divulged

It was billed as a groundbreaking, though no ground was to be found. But that didn’t stop former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder from boasting that plans for the National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg are moving at a steady clip.

Instead of asking people to schlep out to the proposed museum site overlooking the Rappahannock River, Wilder held the symbolic groundbreaking downtown, in the elegant Fleming-Smith Room at Kenmore Plantation & Gardens. “I don’t think you’d like to be walking around the site this morning,” Wilder said, referring to the cold, windy weather. “It wouldn’t be the same as this nice, warm place.”

Wilder told a gathering of museum enthusiasts, local government officials and journalists that construction will begin in October of next year and the museum will open in 2007. Museum officials are working with architect Chien Chung Pei, son of I.M. Pei, designer of the National Gallery of Art’s East Building on the National Mall in Washington and other famed structures. Chien Chung Pei attended yesterday’s symbolic groundbreaking.

Pei, a member of Pei Partnership Architects of New York City, said he’s working with museum officials on a design that will reverently capture the museum’s essence. “This project has to have its own life,” Pei said. “It goes way beyond the walls of the building. The project is about dignity.”

Behind Pei was an early rendering he did of the proposed museum. The slick steel-and-glass design resembles other Pei-family projects. But Pei said he is still planning the “program” for the museum, covering exhibit space and design. “The best buildings emerge from active involvement from the client,” Pei said. “And in this case, from the public.”

In 2002, Wilder chose Fredericksburg as the site for the museum, which could cost between $100 million and $200 million. The Silver Cos., Fredericksburg-based developers of the Celebrate Virginia tourism complex, donated 38 acres at the site for the proposed museum.

In March of that year, museum officials signed a loan agreement with the city for $1 million. The city’s money, which is to be used to benefit the entire Celebrate Virginia project and not spent on the creation of the museum, will be paid back through a special tax on landowners in the development.

According to the terms of the March 2002 agreement, slavery museum officials are to submit an annual report to the city describing all services it has provided using the money, and a breakdown of expenditures. On Oct. 14, the city received a timeline for the project, a list of the museum’s board of directors and a copy of the museum’s 2002 federal tax return.

Missing were both the narrative of services provided and an accounting of how the city’s money has been spent. Last week, City Manager Phillip Rodenberg received a letter from the museum’s accountants, Keiter, Stephens, Hurst, Gary & Shreaves.

The letter said that “grants given by the city of Fredericksburg are received by the organization and deposited into a separate checking account handled by First Union Bank. All grants are deposited immediately into this account upon receipt. All expenses incurred with regards to this grant are withdrawn directly from this account.”

Rodenberg said he has asked Foster for more details on how and where the money is being spent. “I need to be sure that funds are being spent according to the agreement,” Rodenberg said yesterday. In addition to the city’s money, another $1 million appropriation was made by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

That grant–which could be used for either capital or operating costs–was disbursed to the slavery museum between December 2002 and June 2003. Wilder said he also plans to tour the country to raise funds for the project. Yesterday’s ceremony centered largely on Wilder’s determination to make the museum a reality. “This museum is going to be built,” said Wilder, the grandson of slaves. “There’s no question about it.”

Wilder added that plans to open a national, federally funded African-American Museum in Washington won’t thwart his efforts. “There is no competition between them and us,” Wilder said. “In fact, I applaud that effort and look forward to working with them.”

Wilder also announced a new board member. A grandson of former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, HIH Prince Ermias Selassie, has been added to the museum’s board of directors. “He’ll help to coordinate in Africa for us,” Wilder said.

The rest of the board consists of Wilder; actor and comedian Bill Cosby; Jacob Gelt Dekker, founder of the Kura Hulanda museum in the Caribbean’s Netherlands Antilles; John Hope Franklin, a historian and professor at Duke University in North Carolina; William Harvey, president of Hampton University; and Patrick H. Swygert, president of Howard University in Washington.

Wilder also lauded his new executive director, Vonita Foster, for kicking the project into gear since taking over in August. “We’ve moved light years since she took over,” Wilder said. Foster has created a timeline for the project, fleshed out the mission more succinctly and beefed up the site’s Web page.

Last month, Foster, Wilder and Pei toured the Kura Hulanda museum, which will be a quasi-model for the one here. In February, the museum plans to bring a traveling exhibit on American slavery to area schools. “I feel like we’re really making progress,” said Foster, who works with an assistant out of offices in the Central Park business complex off State Route 3. “We’re on target and rarin’ to go.”