Category: Statements

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

The Ethiopian Crown Council applauds the passing of legislation this week to recognize Juneteenth as a Federal holiday in the United States of America, and we join the African- American diaspora in celebrating this special occasion. Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when a Union Army order first enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in the state of Texas. It has since grown into a symbol of freedom from slavery for the entire Black diaspora in the United States of America.

The story of Juneteenth is a story with close parallels to Ethiopian history. Ethiopia’s emperors struggled to eradicate slavery in the nineteenth century. The Emperor Tewodros II’s first attempts to end the practice in the 1850s predate those of the United States. Enforcement of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was slow, uneven, and often depended on force of arms. Likewise, under the Emperor Menelik II and the Emperor Haile Selassie I, Ethiopia’s central government pushed for the abolition of slavery but encountered strong opposition from powerful regional landowners. Not until 1942 did Ethiopia enshrine abolition of slavery into law in its own form of Juneteenth.

In the following decades, Ethiopia became a world leader in the cause of freedom. Ethiopia’s struggle against fascism and triumph over its invaders had inspired Africans at home and in the diaspora. As Black Americans fought the civil rights struggle in the United States, African freedom fighters turned to Ethiopia for inspiration and support in the struggle to end colonialism. We were instrumental in the creation of the Organisation of African Unity — the symbol of Africa’s new-found freedom — and we are still the home of its successor, the African Union, today.

But this journey remains unfinished. Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council, noted: “Juneteenth is the celebration of a pivotal event in human history. But a turning point is never the end of the story. Over the past year, events throughout the world have taught us that the struggle for full freedom is not yet over. As Ethiopians go to the polls this month, we pray that Ethiopia’s leaders will act with the wisdom and courage necessary to give our people ever greater freedom.”

A Statement by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, as the Nation Prepares for Elections and the Challenges of the International and Domestic Communities

His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, said he wished to profoundly thank the thousands of wellwishers who had sent him heartfelt greetings for his 61st birthday on June 14, 2021 / 11 ሰኔ 2013. But he asked that he be permitted to re-direct that outpouring of goodwill to the people of Ethiopia as they prepare to do their duty on June 21, 2021 to vote in national elections, even as the nation suffered from drought, the tragedy of communal fighting, and grave international pressures.

“We have endured so much in Ethiopia since the coup which occurred 47 years ago, and we cannot afford to allow our beloved Ethiopian family to fall into even worse suffering and ignominy at this time,” the Prince said. “We must, once and for all, come back together because there is no other way for us to rebuild the greatness of purpose which has guided us for more than three millennia.”

“Please rest assured that the Crown Council has never, and will never, cease to work to ease the sufferings of Ethiopians, and to ensure that the international community recognises the importance and historical dignity of Ethiopia and Ethiopians. I have been working even more intensely of late at the highest levels around the world to attempt to have Ethiopia’s case heard, meeting in the past month with His Holiness Pope Francis I in the Vatican, and with planned meetings with Orthodox Christian leaders in the near future.”

“We have offered all our services to help resolve the disputes over the future management of our great Nile River which Ethiopians truly see as a resource for humanity over which they have been given great responsibility. This is, in fact, an issue which can see as the cornerstone of a Grand Bargain, worthy of an Emperor Haile Selassie or an Anwar as-Sadat, to bring prosperity to our entire region.”

Prince Ermias added: “I have been blessed with good health at this time of my life so that I can lend all my energies to helping to heal the great wounds inflicted on our beloved Ethiopian family this past half-century, and to ensure that our decades of isolation may never be seen by foreign powers or domestic dissidents as a sign that we are today weakened and in dis-unity. We are, in fact, in a time of great hope that Ethiopia’s greatness is returning: a greatness underpinned by fairness, equality, and pride in the unique nature of all Ethiopians.”

“My fellow Ethiopians: we have much to do; we have a right to feel great hope. We are Ethiopian and proud of our great history. God Bless You. God Bless Ethiopia.”

David Gornoski meets with the President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie. Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie starts the discussion by commenting on the civil unrest that is currently brewing in Ethiopia and what lies at the heart of the conflict. He also comments on Ethiopia’s vanishing Christian heritage; the end of the Solomonic dynasty; the Prince’s last memories of Emperor Haile Selassie; challenges faced by modern-day Africa; the resurgence of Identity Politics in America; Black Lives Matter and African folk religion; and more.

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

Religious Leaders, Members of the Ethiopian Government, Ethiopian Patriots and the People of Ethiopia:

It gives me heartfelt pleasure to celebrate Ethiopia’s 80th Victory Day Anniversary. Ethiopia’s victory over invading fascist Italian forces eighty years ago could not have been possible without the sacrifices paid by our gallant Patriots and the diplomatic struggle waged by my grandfather, Emperor Haile Selassie I, to liberate Ethiopia on the international stage. We celebrate this day and pay tribute to our ancestors for the sacrifices they made to assure the territorial integrity, independence, and unity of our people.

Every year, The Crown Council of Ethiopia celebrates Victory Day and commemorates our Patriots. What makes this year’s celebration different for the Crown Council is our ability to celebrate Victory Day with our beloved people in Ethiopia and in other parts of the world through the use of modern technology.

There are many lessons we can learn from our history. We should always remember and be cognizant of the fact that our mothers and fathers galvanized under one national flag and sacrificed their sacred lives to ensure that our people would live in peace, love, freedom, dignity, and honour.Our ancestors relished in victory because they did not divide along ethnic or religious lines. If we are to properly celebrate Victory Day, and follow in the footsteps of our mothers and fathers, then we must commit to living in harmony, respecting and loving one another.

I thank the organizers on behalf of our Crown Council for their wisdom and foresight in using this very important holiday to bring us together to celebrate in unity.

Happy 80th Victory Day!

May God bless and protect Ethiopia and her people!

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

The Ethiopian People lost a great friend with the passing on April 9, 2021, of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We deeply mourn his departure and honour his great achievements while extending deepest sympathies to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations, for the loss of her beloved husband.

We share with the entire Royal Family and the Commonwealth the grief at the loss of the Queen Elizabeth’s consort, and we mourn the passing of a great friend of Ethiopia in Prince Philip. Among other things, he fought to protect the wildlife of our country.

But we remember him, as well, as a great figure who saw heroic service in World War II, and subsequently, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, built a great friendship with Ethiopia and with Emperor Haile Selassie I. We may think of Prince Philip particularly in light of the fact that he bridged the period of the great World War II alliance of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with Ethiopia, bringing about the first Allied Victory of that war. The Victory of the Battle of Gondar in November 1941 saw Axis forces driven for the first time from foreign lands they had occupied illegally.

I was privileged to have met on occasion with HRH Prince Philip, and valued his counsel.

God Bless the memory of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and may we always think of him as a great friend of Ethiopia. God Bless, at this particular time, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her family, and the People of the great Commonwealth who Prince Philip served. And God Bless Ethiopia

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

It was with profound sadness that we learned that His Majesty King Goodwill Zwele-thini is no longer with us.

His ukukhothama — his “kneeling”; that is, his move to allow his successor to rise, for the King has gone to be with his ancestors and remains as an inspiration to those left behind — symbolised the end of a great era. He reigned for a half-century, wisely and with great skill. He saved and rebuilt the Zulu nation, and he had mapped a path of dignity and sovereignty for his People.

His Majesty was kind to receive me and give me advice and introductions in Southern Africa.

The King was a great force for peace in Africa. He was a calming and wise influence. And yet he was fearless in protecting the dignity and in restoring the historical territories and rights of the Zulu people. His long tenure on the Throne means that he will be difficult to replace, but will always remain an influence for good on the Zulu people, just has his ancestor, King Cetshwayo kaMpande, was. And he will be an inspiration always to them, as was King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.

God Bless the Memory of King Goodwill Zwelithini. God Bless the Zulu People, and guide them as they embrace a new King.

And God Bless Ethiopia.

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

On the 125th Anniversary of the Victory of Adwa

It is 125 years since the People of Ethiopia gathered in unity under the rallying call of Emperor Menelik II to repel the foreign army which had invaded our homeland.

The Victory of the Battle of Adwa on 23 የካቲት 1888 (March 1, 1896, in the Western calendar) by the combined Ethiopian forces — who volunteered from around the Empire — lit a beacon of freedom and dignity which has inspired Africa and commanded the respect of the world ever since.

Adwa reflected the selfless courage of peoples from across the Empire who saw the cause of their collective Ethiopianness as something which enhanced their ability to defend their sovereignty and ability to forge their own destiny. Petty rivalries were put aside; there was mutual respect for the abilities and contributions among all the participants. And we saw what we could achieve when we acted together. Each Ethi-opian honoured the other.

Ethiopians are clearly pleased that the Government of Ethiopia has formally instituted recognition of this historic event.

The Crown Council marks this as the beginning of a full year of its celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Victory of Adwa, until 22 የካቲት 2014 (March 1, 2021), dur-ing which — as COVID-19 restrictions on travel and gathering permit — it will cele-brate the Victory and the cause of the unity of all members of the Ethiopian family.

God Bless Ethiopia. God Bless the Memory of Emperors Menelik II and Haile Selassie I.

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

On behalf of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to all the families who, because of the violence of recent days in our homeland, have had to bury their relatives and loved ones. We grieve with those who must continue mourning as the brutal murderers have yet to be arrested. We are disheartened to know so many innocent lives are being taken and our beloved country has now declared war with itself.

We have read, seen, and heard the cries of our people who have been targeted for their ethnic identity and religion; for being Amhara, Oromo, Tigrayan, Wolayta, Afar, or any other ethnic group has been Ethiopia’s cultural magnificence. Identifying as Christian Orthodox, Catholic, Pentecostal, Muslim, or Animist is what makes Ethiopia’s historical majesty. Many seem to have forgotten our history, as Ethiopia was the country which preserved Islam with pride and dignity. The First Hijrah was the first migration of Prophet Muhammed followers as they fled from the persecution and took refuge in the Christian Kingdom of Aksum, today’s Ethiopia and Eritrea.

It is important to remember that Ethiopia was also formed on the communal harmony of nations striving together to protect their combined territory and peoples, all the while toiling to develop a diverse society, greater with each generation of Ethiopians.

We often refer to the great Battle of Adwa as the African Victory. This is because history was never gracious to Africa, and Ethiopia was the only country able to fight its enemies and gain victory. Adwa was a reminder of the power of solidarity and unity. Remembering Atse Menelik’s vision to bring warriors such as Ras Alula, Ras Darge Sahle Selassie, Ras Tekle Haymanot, Ras Mikael, Fitawrari Habte Giorgis Dinagde, Ras Yohannas Mengesha; with Dejeazmach Balcha Aba Nefso by his side to win a war. It was a war which was a testimony to the leadership by all in this noble endeavor. These dignified leaders from the many great Peoples of Ethiopia saw the importance of unity. They did not dwell on their separate ethnicities or religious beliefs. The vision of each was one of a collective freedom and the agreement to have one overarching government body to preserve territorial diversity, dignity, and union.

On behalf of the Crown Council, it is with deep sadness that we learnt of the passing of Sultan Hafareh (Humphrey) Ali Mira. We join his family and all the Afar people, as well as all those who love the Afar people in Ethiopia and worldwide, in mourning his passing. May God rest his soul and comfort his people and family in these difficult times.

The Sultan, who was enthroned in 2011, was a quiet man whose courage, intelligence, and foresight won him many admirers around the world. His courageous fight alongside his father against the Derg in Ethiopia is much admired, and proved to be on the correct side of history. It was against all odds that he chose to fight the Derg, but his principled stand, along with his father, will always be remembered in Ethiopian history.

The Sultan did not rest after this victory. He wanted to serve his people in the post-Derg Ethiopia, and to that end he worked selflessly to bring his people new freedoms and development. The Sultan was a perceptive man who could not stand by and watch as his people as they began to suffer again under a yet another corrupt dictatorship. He was always on the side of his people and the larger Ethiopian family. He was fortunate to witness the beginnings of reform and greater freedoms for the Ethiopian people yet again.

May his memory be an inspiration and continuance guidance for his people and Ethiopia.

God bless his soul.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing in London this month of our be-loved cousin, Her Royal Highness Prin-cess Zuriash Gebre-Egsiabher.

Princess Zuriash was a granddaughter of Empress Menen. She was married for thir-ty eight years to Prince Asrate Kassa. The Princess was a joyful and vivacious per-sonality who had a full life, enjoying both God’s grace and the tests of life. The Prin-cess was a dutiful wife and mother who also served alongside her husband in the various administrative roles he had under the Imperial Government, including as Viceroy of Eritrea.

Princess Zuriash, pictured here with Prince Asrate Kassa, was to suffer impris-onment without charge like most of her relatives for thirteen years under the brutal military dictatorship of the Derg. Her husband, Prince Asrate Kassa, was also exe-cuted without any charge by the military junta, along with sixty high ranking offi-cials of the Imperial Government.

The Princess was devout and resilient. Her difficult journey in life, especially dur-ing the darkest times, did not shadow her faith or love. She was blessed to see many grandchildren.

We pray that God comforts her children and grandchildren, and may the Almighty receive her soul so that she may Rest In Peace.