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.
