Blogger's Note:
“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have
acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the
silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it
possible for evil to triumph.”
―
Haile Selassie I
These immemorial words were from Atse Haile Selassie who was born on this date some 120 years ago (July 23, 1892) in Ejersa Goro - Harerghe Province of Ethiopia.
In commemoration of Atse Haile Selassie's date of birth former Ambassador Imru Zelleke wrote the following article reminiscing on the life & works of the Emperor as well as Ambassador's service to his country under Haile Selassie Administration. It is republished here with Amabassador Imru's kind permission.
These immemorial words were from Atse Haile Selassie who was born on this date some 120 years ago (July 23, 1892) in Ejersa Goro - Harerghe Province of Ethiopia.
In commemoration of Atse Haile Selassie's date of birth former Ambassador Imru Zelleke wrote the following article reminiscing on the life & works of the Emperor as well as Ambassador's service to his country under Haile Selassie Administration. It is republished here with Amabassador Imru's kind permission.
A
commemoration.
In reminiscing about Emperor Haile Selassie or any other monarch of
Ethiopia, one must understand first the history, legends, fables and
myths that make-up this age old institution. The Ethiopian monarchy is said to
descend from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, whose progeny was Menelik I,
the first King of Ethiopia. Mentioned in the Bible, whether real or mystical,
this notion has been part and parcel of Ethiopian identity, traditions and an
act of faith. Thus, Ethiopian monarchs have existed believing their role to be a
sacred trust and a manifest personal destiny. Having been endowed with Divine
power, they believed the ruler must be just and fair to all his subjects,
as laid out by the canons of the Kibre Negest and Fitha
Negest.
Therefore, like his predecessors Emperor Haile Sellassie and his
generation grew up in this mold, believing in the ruler's sacred duty to God and
country. For instance when the 1955 Constitution was being drafted, I was
secretary of the drafting committee. On one occasion a suggestion was made by
one of the foreign advisers to take out the term “Elect of God” from the titles
conferred to the Emperor. When I reported this to the Emperor, he said “Were it
not for God’s will, how do you think I came to this position?” and he really
meant it.
Having lost his mother at birth and his father in his early teens,
growing up in the Imperial Court must have been very challenging for the young
Prince. The entourage of loyal and wise men to whom his father entrusted his
upbringing was evidently a great support to help him master and survive the
byzantine intricacies of court politics. Indoctrinated in Coptic Orthodox
doctrine with some influence from western Catholic educators, he was a young man
living in a centuries-old political and social milieu that was confronting a
twentieth-century world. A man of exceptional intelligence endowed with
exceptional memory, he had visited Europe and met many statesmen from which he
was exposed to new notions of governance. Although without formal education in
the Western sense, he had quickly realized the importance of modernizing
Ethiopia, a belief that prompted him to give priority to education throughout
his life.
His premonition to the world powers who had allowed his country to be
violated by the Fascists hordes, that their turn will also come, remains a
remarkable prophecy in modern times. While living in exile, the Emperor
succeeded in maintaining the legitimacy of the Ethiopian nation, and
eventually securing back her independence and sovereignty, which was no small
diplomatic feat. After the liberation the reconstruction of the country was not
an easy matter. Confrontation with the liberating colonial allies who wanted to
make of Ethiopia a protectorate, as well as reestablishing a viable government
administration in highly different and adverse conditions, offered many pitfalls
that the Emperor surpassed with skill and hard work.
The Emperor was an indefatigable worker totally dedicated to his mission.
From what I had observed occasionally, his day started around five in the
morning and ended around midnight. He insisted that everything be reported to
him by ministers, governors and department heads. All officials, big and small,
were expected to report to him about their work, which allowed him to keep tight
control over what went on in the country. The various functions he presided were
strictly scheduled and regulated. He attended rigorously all religious and
national celebrations. Every afternoon he visited hospitals, schools and
attended functions where his presence was required. He presided every day over
the Imperial Court of Justice. All decisions he made were after consultation
with all interested parties. He was highly disciplined and punctual in the
performance of his imperial duties. Gifted with an extraordinary and unique
personality, he represented Ethiopia and its glorious past with dignity and
honor.
Some
of the salient achievements of his reign were - obtaining the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church its own Patriarchy; securing Ethiopia’s independence and national
integrity; gaining full international recognition and status for Ethiopia;
modernizing the government administration; promulgating provincial autonomy;
establishing the civil service; restoring Ethiopia’s legitimate access to the
sea and returning Eritrea to the motherland; granting free education to all
citizens including university; introducing a modern legal system and
codification of the civil, commercial and penal codes; modernizing the police;
creating a modern defense force (Army, Airforce and Navy); adopting
quinquennial development plans; establishing banking and financial institutions,
an airline, telecommunications, a highway authority, shipping lines, ports, a
refinery, hydroelectric dams and countless other projects. All the above were achieved with a minimum reliance on foreign interference. Last but least, he conducted an independent neutral foreign policy, particularly in fostering African freedom from colonial subjugation. To quote: “Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned - well, everywhere there's war. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race - it's a war. And until there's no longer first-class or second-class citizens of any nation... Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes - it's a war. Until that day the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, and a rule of international morality will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained.” ― Haile Selassie
At the end he did not allow his reign to terminate in bloodshed and
sorrow, for which we are all grateful. Emperor Haile Sellassie was an
exceptional human being and a great Ethiopian Emperor whose name will be
remembered as such in the annals of World History.
Imru Zelleke
July 23, 2012