Category: Statements

16 September 2025 – It is with profound sorrow that we mourn the loss of His Excellency Dr. Minassie Haile, a towering states-man, diplomat, and servant of Ethiopia. His departure marks the loss of one of the last great pillars of an era when our nation’s voice carried strength and moral clarity on the world stage.

Dr. Minassie Haile devoted his life to the service of Ethiopia with exemplary dignity, wisdom, and patriotism. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, as a trusted spokesperson of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, and as a leading advocate within the Organization of African Unity, he helped shape and preserve Ethiopia’s diplomatic legacy. Through his vision and eloquence, he ensured that Ethiopia stood not only as a guardian of her own sovereignty, but also as a beacon of freedom and African solidarity.

He served His Imperial Majesty with fidelity, and his eloquent representation of Ethiopia’s position on international issues upheld the highest ideals of truth, justice, and peace. In his stewardship of our diplomacy, Ethiopia’s role as a founding force for African unity and independence was safeguarded and highly respected.

Dr. Minassie’s eloquence and vision on the world stage reflected the highest ideals of our nation. He accompanied His Imperial Majesty on numerous historic state visits, including the landmark journey to Jamaica in 1966, where Ethiopia’s presence inspired and uplifted a people deeply connected to our ancient heritage. He also stood alongside the Emperor during official visits to the United States and other countries, where he represented Ethiopia’s dignity and Ethiopia’s aspirations to the wider world with the utmost pride and integrity. In this regard, Dr. Minassie was much more than just a diplomat. He was an unwavering Patriot for the cause of Ethiopianism.

On behalf of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie announced, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to Dr. Minassie’s beloved family, his colleagues, and to all who mourn the loss of a great son of Ethiopia. As we mourn his loss, let us also make sure to honor his memory, his service, and his legacy.”

May Almighty God comfort his family and loved ones in this time of great loss. May His Excellency Dr. Minassie Haile rest in eternal peace.

11 September 2025 / 1 መስከረም 2018

11 September 2025 / 1 መስከረም 2018

Beloved People of Ethiopia,

As we embark upon yet another New Year, it is both fitting and timely that we pause to reflect upon our heritage, to give thanks for the mercies bestowed upon us, and to lift our hopes and prayers for the days to come.

From ancient times, Enkutatash or the New Year has been, for our people, a symbol of renewal and continuity. When our ancestress, the Great Makeda, Queen of Sheba, returned to Ethiopia from Jerusalem, the Ethiopian aristocracy welcomed her with pearls and precious adornments — tokens not only of honor but of the eternal cycles of life, of years and seasons passing, and of our people’s steadfastness through time. This tradition, handed down through the generations, is a living expression of Ethiopian identity, culture and pride.

As we embrace the turning of the year, let us remember that it is our sacred duty to give thanks to Almighty God for His providence, to reflect upon the lessons of the past, and to greet the future with faith and with courage. Yet even as we celebrate, we cannot forget that Ethiopia faces trials of division, conflict, and hardship. It must therefore be the solemn prayer of us all that our people may find peace, healing, and unity — and that persecution, strife, and suffering may yield to reconciliation, justice, and harmony.

In this moment, too, we witness the fulfillment of a vision long cherished by generations. The completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is not merely a triumph of labor and resolve; it is the realization of an ancient aspiration, first studied in the reign of my revered grandfather, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I. Though constrained by the circumstances of the global economy and political order at the time, His Majesty entrusted to future generations the dream of harnessing Abay for the good of our nation. Today, by the perseverance of our people and under the successive labors of leaders — from the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and now to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed — that dream has been brought to fruition.

This is not the achievement of one man, nor of one generation alone, but of Ethiopia united. It stands as a resounding testament to what we can accomplish when national interest transcends all divisions. For this, we give praise to the Almighty, who in His wisdom has permitted the hopes of our ancestors to find their fulfillment in our time.

May this New Year be crowned with peace, health, and unity for Ethiopia and all her children. May God, in His everlasting grace, guard our nation and bless her destiny.

HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie

President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

9 September 2025 / 4 ጳጉሜ 2017

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/amharic/am/podcast-episode/prince-ermias-sahleselassie-haileselassie-2018-ethiopian-new-year-message/gfyi2kl8e

8 September 2025 – Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, on behalf of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, offers his sincere condolences to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent and to all those touched by the death of Her Royal Highness Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, late last week.

The Crown Council of Ethiopia recognizes the Duchess of Kent’s lifelong dedication to the causes of child welfare and education. Her deep love of music manifested itself at both a personal and professional level. From her talent with instruments and her performance in choir to her lifelong support for many musical organizations and her career as a music teacher, Her Highness’s life reminds us of the power of the arts and the power of education to enrich our lives.

In this time of mourning, Prince Ermias notes that the Duchess of Kent was the oldest member of the British royal family, and invites the people of Ethiopia and of the United Kingdom to use this occasion to remember the long ties which exist between the Ethiopian royal family and the British royal family, and between their two nations, staunch allies in World War II in the global struggle against fascism.

May the Duchess of Kent rest in peace.

27 August 2025 / 21 ነሐሴ 2017 – Today, as we remember the murder of His Imperial Majesty exactly fifty years ago, it is with many mixed emotions that we reflect on his full life and the controversies surrounding his extraordinary achievements and tragedies. In our reflection, we seek to examine the totality of his leadership and his humanity.

From the time of his birth until the end of his life the Emperor remained an enigma. He was caught in between two worlds, one so ancient and proud of its traditions and customs, the other in a rush to catch up with the twentieth century. Ethiopia, isolated from the world for centuries, was in the process of forging a nation-state despite the obstacles of its medieval legacy, struggling to create and maintain its sovereignty while facing both internal and external threats. Facing these seemingly irreconcilable challenges, the Emperor toiled with faith, discipline and resilience to bring modernization to his country and played a critical role in freeing Africa from the bondage of colonialism.

He faced great pain in childhood, from his mother’s death in his infancy and his father’s death when he was only thirteen. He faced total abandonment when he was forsaken and sacrificed during the crisis of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1936 as a precursor to World War II. These challenges tested his faith in humanity and taught him the hypocrisy of international politics. They did not, however, deter him from seeking justice for his people, which won him admiration from freedom-loving people around the world.

The Emperor’s detractors have accused him of abandoning his nation to seek comfort and safety in exile. But this does not reflect the reality of his tireless work in those difficult years. The Emperor, despite having lost his throne and despite shameful attacks from the fascists, always maintained his dignity and worked tirelessly to free Ethiopia. He used his astute political skills and leadership ability to free Ethiopia and his people. Despite the heavy burdens, losses, and loneliness of exile he overcame these oppressive years and used them to reflect on what was to come.

After liberation in 1941 he faced the challenge of rebuilding his nation, which had suffered from a brutal invasion. The execution of the few educated Ethiopians by the Italians made his task that much more difficult. He had to uplift his nation from collective trauma and give his people hope for the task of rebuilding which lay ahead. The Emperor’s wise call to seek no revenge on his enemies won him the admiration of people and leaders worldwide.

With great vigor and vision, the Emperor began to rebuild his nation once more. With an emphasis on education, he would go on to build an educated class who would manage and assist in the development of Ethiopia. He made huge strides in expanding agriculture, education, and industry. He was able to build a modern Army, Air Force, and Navy. Despite these remarkable achievements, his success in bringing modernity to our nation was tested by the divisions and internal conflicts that had plagued Ethiopia for centuries.

His later reign was tested by rising expectations. The ensuing years were marked by secessionist movements and the growing demands of both the student movement and the bureaucracy. The Emperor failed to recognize early the demands for change that would eventually overthrow him and bring the country untold misery and terror. The years of civil war, terror, and famine became the hallmarks of a nation descending into an abyss. These years took a tremendous toll. The Ethiopian people yearned for change and a faster trajectory towards democracy and economic development. Instead, they were held hostage to lawlessness and the breakdown of a culture forged over centuries, after which raw power was the only solution offered to a complex set of problems and challenges.

We reflect now on the half century since the passing of our enlightened Emperor, who sacrificed so much only to be shunned and murdered by the same people he had hoped would shepherd Ethiopia into the twenty-first century. In the past fifty years we have failed to create a system based on laws, representation, and accountability. We have failed to reconcile with our history. We have failed to chart a vision for stability for our people and nation, and we have failed to offer a vision for Ethiopia to look confidently into the future.

As we look back on the past fifty years and examine the life and legacy of the Emperor, we remember that the Emperor was also human. His was a life of being tested, and of overcoming many personal tragedies. He carried the heavy weight of responsibility both as a head of state and head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

He was a martyr who witnessed his nation betrayed, who saw his family members and the people he raised to lead his nation murdered. And yet he has not yet received the recognition he deserves both as a patriot and a world statesman.

His refusal to shed the blood of his own people when he had the full capacity to do so is exemplary of a leader who had deep faith and foresight. Despite all the criticism and efforts to tarnish the Emperor’s name and legacy, future generations will in the fullness of time appreciate his many achievements.

His work to fight injustice, to liberate Africa, and lend Africans a voice in the world stage is etched in history. He gave hope to the oppressed. He became a symbol of black pride all around the world. He became a father to an entire continent through the Organization of African Unity and inspired a global movement of black liberation through the Rastafarian nation.

As his grandson, I remember his encouragement in the pursuit of our studies. He taught us about our family, our duty, and our country.

We look forward to commemorating and celebrating his life for many years to come.

May God bless his life and memory.

by HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

23 August 2025 / 17 ነሐሴ 2017

Firstly, before anything else I would like to render due honor and thanks to our Creator. Next, I would like to congratulate us all on this commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of Gondar Hospital, and the 70^th Anniversary of the University of Gondar. I would also like to thank Dr. Yared and Dr. Nuru for inviting me to participate in this event with you as one of the members of Emperor Haile Selassie’s family. I am also profoundly thankful for the news I received from the President of the University of Gondar Dr. Asrat Atsedewoin that the great hall of the university has been named for His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie.

Across our entire country, Emperor Haile Selassie tirelessly built educational institutions, striving to build an Ethiopia which would be wealthy in knowledge. However, most of these institutions have not had the opportunity that the University of Gondar has had to properly memorialize him. We are hopeful that these institutions will follow the example of the University of Gondar and properly memorialize him.

I certainly believe that if we can properly honor the 100^th Anniversary of Gondar Hospital, and the 70^th Anniversary of the University of Gondar, then we should be able to properly honor our 3000 years of history, culture and national unity as well. It is wonderful when we are all able to celebrate the course of our history. Just as we assembled here today with such joy to celebrate Gondar’s hospital and university, we look forward to jointly celebrating many other such milestones together with love, tolerance and cooperation, which are key elements to such undertakings.

Lastly, I would like to mention the very concerning condition of health services in Ethiopia today. I know that there are many Ethiopian health professionals who willingly serve your country and people, but in light of the great need for these services in Ethiopia it is not nearly enough to meet demand. On the other hand, the philanthropic organizations have much they can contribute towards this effort.

Considering this, the Royal Ethiopian Trust (RET), beyond introducing Ethiopia’s ancient imperial legacy and culture internationally, wishes to play a role in the philanthropic and charitable field in partnership with health professionals and related organizations. You will recall that the RET recently was able to repatriate the shield of Emperor Tewodros II which had been looted by British forces. Beyond working to return other pieces of heritage, the Trust looks forward to celebrating in the near future commemorations of the Victory at Gondar in the City of Gondar itself.

I am fully confident that all will be achieved in its proper time.

Once again congratulations to Gondar Hospital on its 100^th Anniversary, and the 70^th Anniversary of the University of Gondar. I wish all of you a pleasant evening and thank you for this opportunity that you accorded to me.

May God bless our country and our people, and may he protect Ethiopia.

Good evening and thank you.

by HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

Exclusive: Heir to Ethiopian Throne Talks Geopolitics and Judeo-Christian Values With The American Spectator
“Christian heritage is the fiber that really holds the bridge between America and Ethiopia,” His Royal Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie said in a wide-ranging interview
by Shiv Parihar
August 14, 2025, 10:07 PM

In the 4th century A.D., Ethiopia became the world’s second Christian nation, preceded only by Armenia. Though its historicity is questionable, the 14th-century Kebra Nagast tied Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie’s family to the Old Testament’s Queen of Sheba, who is recorded as having borne a son by Solomon in the Book of Kings. In the centuries since, Ermias’ ancestors led Ethiopia as the House of Solomon.

The Ethiopian Empire was the only nation in Africa to maintain its complete independence during the age of empires. From 1916 to 1974, Ermias’s grandfather, Haile Selassie, was the most powerful man in the nation, ruling as emperor from 1930 onwards. However, things came crashing down with a bloodstained communist coup in 1974.

The ensuing military government unleashed the worst of Marxist terror on the nation as it murdered the emperor and ravaged Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church. Prince Ermias, already heir due to the untimely death of his father, was only 14 and spared a tragic fate through the luck of studying abroad in Europe at the time.

The nation’s destiny has remained uncertain ever since, even with the fall of communism. Since 1975, Ermias has been the titular head of the Solomonic Dynasty and president of the now-United States-based Crown Council of Ethiopia. As his nation has grown from 24 million in the tragic days of the 1970s to 130 million today, the Crown Council has continued to advocate for the protection of the principles that once made Ethiopia a shining light within a troubled continent…

Click link(s) below for full article and audio version…

Ethiopians in Italy, local authorities in Asinara and Porto Torres, in Sardinia, and friends of Ethiopia are organizing a special memorial service for the great people of our country who were imprisoned on the island of Asinara by the then fascist government of Italy. The imprisonment of those and their families who were feared as a threat by the then Fascist Government of Italy is a history that we remember. Among those imprisoned were Princess Romanework Haile Selassie, the eldest daughter of His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie, and her three children. Princess Romanework and her son Lij Getachew Beyene died in prison and were buried in the city of Turin, where their remains still lie. After the Emperor was exiled, the Ethiopian government was led by the late Prince Ras Imiru Haile Selassie, who was later imprisoned and brought to Asinara. In total, about 400 Ethiopians were imprisoned in Asinara. Although most of them returned to Ethiopia after the defeat of Italy by Ethiopia, this is arguably the first time that their history and sacrifices have been commemorated in such a prominent manner by local officials and direct descendants of former prisoners of war.

The special commemoration of these Ethiopians in Asinara by local authorities and direct descendants of prisoners of war is intended to ensure that this history is not forgotten, and to commemorate the sacrifices of these great people who represented Ethiopia with the utmost loyalty, dignity and pride.

I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers for their love and respect for their country, people and history. In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to the young Ethiopians born and raised abroad for their determination and contributions towards the commemoration of the history of our great national heroes who were imprisoned in Asinara during the invasion of Ethiopia from 1935-1941 by the then Fascist Italy.

Studying our country’s vast history and commemorating the sacrifices paid by our people in the defense of Ethiopia’s freedom, independence and unity are essential for understanding the true essence and spirit of Ethiopia.

May God, the Creator, protect Ethiopia. May the souls of our patriotic fathers and mothers rest in peace.

Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie

TRIBUTE FROM HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ERMIAS SAHLE-SELASSIE HAILE-SELASSIE
President, The Crown Council of Ethiopia

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF AVDYNE AEROSERVICES, LLC

26 July 2025 / 19 ሐምሌ 2017 – It gives me great honor to salute AvDyne AeroServices, LLC on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, and to recognize the visionary leadership of Mr. Jerome Hodge, whose commitment to excellence in aviation maintenance science continues the noble tradition of the Tuskegee Airmen. Among those hallowed pioneers was Colonel John C. Robinson, a graduate of the Tuskegee Institute’s mechanical engineering program, founder of the Coffey Aviation School — America’s first aviation academy established by an African American aviator — and a dedicated Pan-Africanist who answered Ethiopia’s call in her hour of need.

At the request of my grandfather, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, Colonel Robinson organized Ethiopia’s first air force, trained its early aviators, and helped launch Ethiopian Airlines. His ultimate sacrifice in 1954 — giving his life on an aviation mission in service to Ethiopia — remains a beacon for all who believe in the transformative power of courage, knowledge, and unity among peoples of African descent.

In that same spirit, AvDyne stands today as a bridge between the African American experience and the modern renaissance of aviation on the African continent. Founded by CEO Jerome Hodge and his wife Mrs. Denise Hodge, AvDyne has grown from a principled vision into one of the leading aviation maintenance companies in the United States. Mr. Hodge — a 21-year veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served with distinction as a Master Sergeant and Flight Engineer — embodies the precision, leadership, and discipline essential to aerospace success. As a former President of the East Coast Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., he carries forward the enduring flame of those who proved themselves in war and peace against all odds.

Supporting him are a remarkable team, including Vice President Gregory Hodge and Chief Operating Officer Gabriel J. Christian, Esq., past President of the East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen and trusted legal advisor to the Ethiopian Crown Council — whom I first met in 1993 and who graciously invited me to the Tuskegee Airmen Christmas Dinner in 2012. Mr. Christian has been instrumental in helping to reconnect the African Diaspora with the Ethiopian heritage, and it was he who, in 2023, brought about a deeply personal and emotional reunion between myself and my dear elementary school friend, Captain Abiy Makonnen Behre, after 47 years of separation. That reunion, which took place at the East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Breakfast, was a moment of profound joy and reflection—made all the more powerful by the shared purpose we now hold in the aviation renaissance uniting Africa and its Diaspora.

Today, Captain Abiy Makonnen Behre serves as Chief Commercial Officer of AvDyne and has been a driving force behind its expansion of operations with PSA Airlines, a regional carrier for American Airlines. The son of the legendary Captain Makonnen Behre, one of Ethiopian Airlines’ earliest and most respected pilots, Captain Abiy carries forward his family’s proud aviation legacy with dignity and excellence.

We also recognize Chief Technical Officer Gedeon Kidanu, a graduate of the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy, whose technical leadership helps power AvDyne’s operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), where more than 190 Ethiopian aviation engineers serve with skill and professionalism.

This historic collaboration reflects a sacred legacy — one that began with the partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Trans World Airlines (TWA) nearly 90 years ago, and which has helped Ethiopia develop world-class aviation capabilities. Today, AvDyne AeroServices stands firmly within that continuum of excellence, innovation, and transatlantic partnership.

As Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand its mission of uplifting African aviation, we look forward to even greater collaboration with AvDyne AeroServices, JAG-Elevate, and our international allies. These bonds are forged in shared history and mutual respect, and they offer a vision of unity and progress for the generations to come.

To the AvDyne family, I extend my deepest gratitude and admiration. May your continued success inspire all who labor for unity, scientific advancement, and the uplifting of Africa and its children worldwide.

Happy 25th Anniversary!

May our partnership continue to rise on the wings of excellence, and may future generations look back on this moment as the renewal of a proud and sacred journey.

God bless you.

His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie Haile Selassie
President, Ethiopian Crown Council

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