Greetings and
Rastafari Blessings 206 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes and 35 seconds before
the Ethiopian Millennium,
On January 6, 2007 The
Pan African Community Coalition (PACC) hosted the New York Town Hall
Meeting to discuss the election of New York's African Diasporan
Representatives to the African Union (AU). Ras E.S.P. Mc Pherson
Founder Chairman of the ENF Education & Research, Arts &
Science Foundation was among 24 people nominated and sent nominations
packets. Ras E.S.P. Mc Pherson has produced an extensive body of
serious scholarship on Ethiopian Sovereignty, African Nationhood, and
Rastaology (see catalogue at http://www.rastaites.com/news/archives/2007/01.htm).
In six weeks, Ras E.S.P.
Mc Pherson's "STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS" TO SOUTH
AFRICA (/AZANIA)/SOUTHERN AFRICA RASTAFARI COMMUNITY…" will
be published in book form (see INTRODUCTION: From THE AFRICAN
RENAISSANCE To THE AFRICAN UNION: THE ETHIO-RASTAFARI
INTERNATIONAL below).
In support of Ras E. S.
P. Mc Pherson's nomination and the extraordinary work of the ENF, I am
taking time to highlight the following excerpts from Ras Mc Pherson's
book Ethiopian Sovereignty: African Nationhood - Voices From the
Ethio-Diaspora Call . . . . released May 27, 1994 and published in
August 1999. These excerpts will demonstrate Ras E.S.P. Mc Pherson's
exceptional representation, made in particular to the Transitional
Government of Ethiopia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on
behalf of the Rastafari and scattered Ethio-diasporan/Pan-African
people in previous government/constitutional exercises immediately
preceding the establishment of the current African Union. In other words,
Ras E.S.P. has unique and unmatched experience at the highest level of
black government.
1. "The
present constitutional exercise of the Transitional Government of
Ethiopia (TGE) Constituent Assembly, that is slated to lead to the
creation of a new 'Constitutional Draft,' which is to be voted upon
in September/October of 1994, presents an opportunity for the
concerned scattered/exiled Ethio-diaspora to create and take
affirmative actions, in the spirit of a 'unity of purpose', to serve
the common good of Ethiopia and all Ethiopians: Africans.
As such the adapted motto of the
ENF is 'SOVEREIGNTY & NATIONHOOD: UNITY IN DIVERSITY: ETHIOPIA
FOR ETHIOPIANS, THOSE AT HOME AND THOSE ABROAD.'
As 'Royalist' We will
relentlessly see to The Restoration of the Solomonic Dynasty - in
the form of a 'Constitutional Monarchy' This was set out in the
'LAWS OF SUCCESSION' of the June 16th 1931 Constitution given by His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I to Ethiopia, that was respectfully
revised in 1955, and August of 1974 in the form of a 'Draft
Constitution'" (pp 4-5; see
also His Imperial Majesty's radio broadcast, on the 5th of March
1974, calling for a 'Draft Constitution' speech dubbed: 'A
Government Declaration Of Guidance' that stated among other things:
'We have issued intentions that the Constitution should be reviewed
in accordance with the needs of Our People and in the new spirit of
unity.' This reference can be found in E.S.P. Mc Pherson's RASTAFARI
and POLITICS: Sixty Years of a Developing Cultural Ideology. A
Sociology of Development Perspective)
2. "As Pan-Ethiopianist,
we are contending that the success of a Federal Multi-Party
Democracy in Ethiopia represents the pre-requisite and preamble of a
needed Federal arrangement of African States - respectively, that
will bring into being Our ultimate: A
SINGLE AFRICAN GOVERNMENT - even as set
out by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) historic and
culturally significant Paper: 'AFRICA
2000 - A Continental Government for Africa.'
The most
immediate affirmative collective action of the respective Heads of
State on the Continent and throughout the diaspora towards such a
realization, rests within the legal sovereign constitutional
empowerment that 'dual citizenship' will give to Our Nation, when
comprehensively implemented. This represents a corner stone of Our
Paper's position, as We collectively call for the constitutional
entrenchment of the Ethio-diaspora active participation in the civil
life of Ethiopia, e.g. in future electoral exercises.
This position leads Us to another
cornerstone of Our Paper: the need for the RECLAIMING OF THE
LAND/Africa; the REINSTITUTION/RESTITUTION OF LAND IN ETHIOPIA by
respective constituencies of the Ethio-diaspora." (p. 5)
3. "The areas and issues
focused and voted upon were those dealing with the questions
surrounding 'dual citizenship;' a 'Constitutional
Monarchy'/'Parliamentary System' (which We explained to all
gathered) is one and the same - as set out by the August 1974
'Constitutional Draft' . . . . " (p.13)
4. "It is Our view that -
because of the role of 'The Monarchy' throughout Ethiopia's history,
that the role that Amha Selassie [I] as 'The Constitutional
Monarchy' could play in Ethiopia - would be a very 'Symbolic' one in
unifying Ethiopia.
Secondly, in 1974 August there was
a 'Draft Constitution' that was put through in Parliament. And the
provisions of that Constitution gave way for the power would lay in
the Parliament - the locus of power would remain in the Parliament,
but there would be a 'Constitutional Monarchy' That means that
provision were already made by His Majesty to devolve power to The
People. And because of this I am saying '47' [The Constitutional
Monarchy] and '48' [The Parliamentary System', for Us the Rastafari
Community represent one and the same." (p. 13 footnote 7).
5. "In Our Ethio-Diaspora
Community We still celebrate the day when His Majesty Haile Selassie
I 'laid the basis of the modern Government of Ethiopia,' as he
'freely gave of his own will' a Constitution to the Ethiopian Nation
on 'Constitution Day, June 16, 1931.' It remains a day of
celebration for Us for two specific reasons. One of which is, that,
'It is worthy of note that this was the first instance in history
where an absolute ruler had sought voluntarily to share sovereign
authority with the subjects of his realm . . ' Two, it is at this
historical juncture that WE, THE PEOPLE, as 'Ethiopians' -
'Sovereigns and Nationals' were given THE RIGHT 'to
share in the mighty task which [OUR] Sovereigns alone have had to
accomplish in the past;' thus making it 'necessary for the modern
Ethiopian to accustom himself to take part in the direction of all
departments of the State . . ." (p.21; see also CHAPTER VI
LEGAL 7 CONSTITUTIONAL, subsection: PROMULGATING THE REVISED
CONSTITUTION, in SELECTED
SPEECHES OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY HAILE SELASSIE FIRST 1918 TO 1967)
6. "The need
for the Ethio-diaspora to reclaim Our Sovereignty also spells the
obvious NEED for Us to reclaim THE LAND - the resources to the land.
And thus, Our call upon you to become (further)
actively involved in the realizations of Our 'REPATRIATION
with REPARATION' quest . . . . It represents
another of those silent screams that You and Our other Continental
Heads of States and diaspora kins - in authority - NEED NOT to
address.
As Ethiopians and
Pan-Africanist, Our concept of 'Ethiopian Sovereignty' amounts to a
'Pan-Ethiopianist' vision that CHARGES
Your Honorable bodies and respectful selves to hear
the voices of the Ethio-diaspora and to implement this wholesome
perspective of a Universal Ethiopianness."
(p. 25)
7. "We have now an opportunity
to move beyond the 'symbolic association' with 'Power' that was
mostly 'ceremonial' for the Black Man and Woman. We MUST begin a
Pan-Ethiopianization process through Constitutional Empowerment and
Cultural Autonomy (i.e. independence, interdependence, and
intradependence) of Ethiopia, Africa and all Ethiopians scattered
abroad. This highest level of the conscience-tization of the
collective unconsciousness of Our Nation, that became blinded by the
Euro/Eura-Africa illusion of 'the rule of law' that led to the
ideological imprisonment and cultural marginal-ization of Our
people, led by an imposed elite trusteeship type of leaders
throughout the World, will be best nullified by Our collective
actions.
The state of affairs in Ethiopia
since the overthrow of the Monarchial Government has led to a
political cataclysm and fulfillment of that old adage, where: 'every
break up has its own rule.' It has led to a state-of-affairs in
which we have seen, and are now witnessing, desperate
revolutionaries masking their absolute illusions in ideological and
now 'ethnic' cloaks, (seemingly) living on the fringe of a civic and
constitutional crime.
To heal the
breaches within Our Nation, Ethiopia and Our Continent: Africa,
Ethiopia, MUST be successful in the process of remaking government,
and in the democratic reconstruction and reorientation, while Our
Honorable Statesmen and Women and gamut of skilled planners,
bureaucrats and developers refine the natural interests of Our
unique and diverse Peoples. Ethiopia, the unofficial diplomatic
capital of Africa, and the 'permanent headquarters' of the OAU,
MUST become THE Federal successful story of Our
Continent, and ideal prelude to Our ultimate 'Confederation:' A
SINGLE AFRICAN GOVERNMENT." pp. 26-7)
8. "This Federal Continental
Plan, MUST be demonstrated in Ethiopia, so that Ethiopians/Africans
World-wide might move into the new millennia and fast coming
twentieth century, in full confidence of re-claiming Our
lost/forgotten 'Sovereignty,' and the making and achieving of Our
own 'Self Determination', (p. 30).
The ENF as We said before, are
'Royalist.' We are all knowledgeable of 'the Laws of Succession,' as
promulgated by the 1931/55/74 Constitution and thus acknowledge the
elevation of the former Crown Prince of Ethiopia, H.I.H. Merd
Azmatch Asfa Wossen Haile Selassie,to: H.I.M. Amha Selassi I,
Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Emperor of Ethiopia; and
H.I.H. Prince Zera Yacob Amha Selassie, Crown Prince of Ethiopia.
We, along with The Royal Family of Ethiopia and The Crown Council of
Ethiopia await the proper commemoration of this historic event, the
coming day, as H.I.H. Amha Selassie wishes, when - in his own words:
'. . . the actual Coronation Ceremony will be held with the will of
God Almighty, on Ethiopian soil as when the Ethiopian people regain
their democratic freedoms with the sovereign dignity of Ethiopia
remaining intact . . . .'
We hold unswervingly to the
Sovereign Rights and historical truth that: 1) ' . . . The Ethiopian
Monarchy is an age-old, time honored institution which commands
universal respect. Without its presence peace and tranquility in
Ethiopia cannot be ensured;... 2) ... The Monarchy is above partisan
politics which brings all political parties and organization under
its all encompassing wings.'" (pp. 40-41).
9. "It is this Imperial
Federal Democratic Government that We have dubbed as: 'Ceremonial Federalisms.'
(A process, when extended to the Ethio-Diaspora, will
constitutionally empower Our scattered Nation with a new nation
status.)
As later Mo-Anbessa literate
sources pointed out: '... The weight and moral authority of the
Monarchy can usefully coexist and compliment a democratically
elected government ..." (p. 43)
10. "Locally, the call for a
'Parliamentary Theocracy' put forth by the Royal Judah Coptic
Ethiopian Church, in their 'EATUP Manifesto' and the submission by
the Jamaica Progressive League, calling for a 'Monarchial Republic'
made in the constitution review exercises, among many other
advocating of a Royalist stance, all point to the relevance and need
for, the Restoration of The Crown in Ethiopia. In the words of Our
other Honorable EJS/Moa-Anbesa Co-Chair, Ras Howard Goulbourne:
'... Rasta ... provides an
institutional base to assist in the restoration of the Solomonic
Dynasty on one half of the Ethiopian global political diameter,
while The Crown itself provides a symbol of unity to [the
Ethio-diaspora's] new sovereign status, on the other. Hence the need
to restore is seen as the common political line going East to West,
the radius connecting Jamaicans and scattered Ethio/Africans to the
rising of the black empire ...'"(p. 49)
11. "So overwhelming is this
imperative to be active democratic participants in the civil life of
Our People through political practice, that at the First Rastafari
International Theocracy Assembly held in Canada, 1982, there was a
collective communal resolve that read
'It has been debated for a long
time and will continue to be debated, 'Should a Rastafarian be
politically involved?' In this time it has been agreed that
political involvement is imminent in order for I and I to protect
our interests. Our interests lies in the welfare of our people.'
It is the suffering and misfortunes
of Ethiopia (and Africa) that are Our concerns. It is the interests
and welfare of Ethiopia that We are here seeking to determine and
protect by way of Our Ethio-diaspora input into this constitutional
draft process. We aim to help the shaping of a reformed multi-party
democracy, that will amount to a newly won sovereign nation status
for the Ethio-diaspora.'" (pp.51-52.)
12. "So while Jamaica
hurriedly moved towards the building of a miniature model of a ' ...
Britain, America or a European - type state' rather than building on
the 'cultural traditions' of Our African past, the Rastafari
Movement questioned the government-of-the-day and society at large
about the Peoples national standing and the application of justice
and equality for ALL. Ras Mortimo Planno's 'Back to Ethiopia,' a
letter t the Editor, of January 1962, asked
'...What provisions will be made
within the New constitution for the desire of those who alienate
themselves from the Jamaica way of life? I am thinking principally
of those who desire is to be repatriated to Ethiopia. One of the
countries of Africa that has already granted lands for the sole
purpose of resettling people from the Western world. I as one who is
claiming by originality (Ethiopian) would like the world to know
that our rights must be respected. Because I am of the opinion that
respect for man's right is the greatest achievement of peaceful
solution to problems which has a temperature of 100 degrees.
Major problem - will the Government
tell us what are the plans for the Rastafarians who are
Ethiopians?'" (pp. 52-53)
13. " In this bid for
constitutional renewal and order, the most fundamental human right
is the Peoples due right to THE LAND. There MUST be a
reinstitution/restitution of the lands that were illegally seized
between 1974-1991 (-1994). For Us in the diaspora, this is one of
Our main concern, as a number of the ENF constituencies - on the
ground in Ethiopia (as the EWF, Inc. and the Nyahbinghi Order of His
Majesty) - and affiliations .... have a direct need for the
restitution of lands earlier rightfully given to Us for
developmental projects.
Also, Your Honorable Excellencies
must realize that it is with the reinstitution of the land, that the
hope for Repatriation with Reparation will be made real and possible
to be fulfilled. Again, in this regard - Ethiopia MUST become the
typesetter for this ingathering and empowering of Our Peoples in the
diaspora and the continent. The REPATRIATION of Our People who are
so desirous to come home MUST be a carefully ordered and worked out
process. Our continental and diasporic age-old demands for
REPATRIATION, that is a current prioritized agenda of the OAU and a
number of constituencies within the Americas, will complement this
envisaged Exodus." (pp 64-65).
14. "Thus, it must be evident
to Your Excellencies why We need a restitution of the lands
belonging to Us; and why a form of pro-active dual citizenship,
would further integrate the Ethio-diaspora into the Ethiopian
society, is necessary to be enshrined in this new constitution.
Ethiopian Sovereignty as such would be transferred into the diaspora
- to be the vanguard of this age in Our quest to realize A SIngle
African Government."
Ras E.S.P. McPherson
Founder Chairman of the ENF Education & Research, Arts &
Science Foundation (Produced/Edited/Digitized/Transcribed),
An ENF - EDUCATION
& RESEARCH, ARTS & SCIENCE FOUNDATION
"STATE OF THE
NATION ADDRESS" TO
SOUTH AFRICA
(/AZANIA)/SOUTHERN AFRICA RASTAFARI COMMUNITY…
CD Price: $15
(ENF Publishers…),
April 2005; 513 pages; ISBN
0-9744430-3-4
BOOK Price: US$ 50
Send:
$6.95 for postage
E-mail:
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Tel.: 212-694-1610;
OR: 917-362-5493
Write to:
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ENF Publishers…
2507 Holland Ave., Bronx, NY
10467, USA.
INTRODUCTION
From THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE To
THE AFRICAN UNION:
THE ETHIO-RASTAFARI
INTERNATIONAL
By
Ras E.S.P. Mc Pherson
Greetings in the name of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie 1/The First - Rastafari. L.I.O.N.
- Liberty In Our Nation.
Welcome and Greetings to Our
readership.
This work was first aired
internationally on May 10, 2001, and released on August 17, 2001, as a
digitized audio book/cd. We were urged by many of Our listeners and
readership to transcribed/produce this presentation as a book. And
this We have done.
The work is heavily footnoted; and it
has an in-depth "subject index" of the varying areas touched
upon throughout this radio lecture; and an appendices.
The appendices begin with a focus
upon an example of the local South Africa socio-political and
legal/constitutional racism directed against the Rastafari Community.
This is the now renowned case of South African born, Ras Prince
Garreth. (A number of other cases - internationally - are also drawn
upon throughout this work footnotes.) The Rastafari Community -
internationally - sacralize the herb/dagga/ganja as "a
sacrament," and the smoking/usage of it as a sacralization
process of The Faith/Culture.
The South Africa Government/society
will have to find the "moral courage" to decriminalize the
herbs.
We next focus on the New Zealand
landscape to make a similar point, calling for the decriminalization
of the herb - industry. Here the Rastafari international community
pro-active environmental consciousness and quest for environmental
justice is demonstrated. (And here it would be in order to salute the
Jamaican Government’s intent to decriminalize the herbs, and
recognize the Rastafari Community; and note, the U.K. Government
limited decriminalization of the herbs for smoking purposes; and
Canada’s, State sanctioned hemp farm/industry. All of which is noted
in Our footnotes.)
Our appendices, next focus is on the
South Africa (modern day) Ethiopianist independent church movement.
This is to highlight and acknowledge this earliest Ethiopianist stream
in South Africa. Historically, South Africa is a repository to the
earliest Africanist movements, the early Garveyite movement in South
Africa, and, the Rastafari Movement - inheritors of the Garveyite Race
First Pan-Africanist liberation and development Agenda.
Our appendices, furthers the focus
upon the Pan-African, Ethio-Rastafari Agenda promulgated throughout
this work. And thus, Our focus highlights the launching of the ANC
Archives, March 17, 1996; the launching of the African Renaissance
(Institute), October 11, 1999; the profound significance of the Durban
Declaration, September 8, 2001, and the Summit on Sustainable
Development, Durban, August 26, 2004-September 4, 2002.
Evident within the book, is an
acknowledgement and salute to the birth, activities, and life of the
Organization for African Unity (OAU). This historic institution which
represents the highest stage of Pan-African Constitutional life (May
23, 1963) has evolved to become the African Union (AU).
The AU will have to convene a special
meeting to resolute: the comprehensive implementation of dual
citizenship, in Africa and throughout the African diaspora. Over time,
the AU will have to address, facilitate and bring to fruition the
international Repatriation with Reparations movement of Africans - in
their respective loci - to respective points on the Continent.
Here, it would be appropriate to dam
the non-recognition of this Repatriation with Reparations program by
westerners, Europeans/the Euro-Americans, e. g. at the Durban
Conference; and further dam, the recent letter from the Queen of
England, Secretary, sent to the Public Defender, addressed to the
Jamaican Rastafari Community, for refusing to acknowledge that
restitution/repatriation is due for slavery.
In both instance, they the Europeans
- have acknowledged that slavery is a crime against humanity/"was
barbaric/ uncivilized." Yet, they have done so with no
reparations/ repatriation rights acknowledged/granted.
Within the AU rest the greatest
supra-national hope for Our Continent of Africa and Africans - at
large to inite [unite] and to arise pro-actively!
The mandated actions and resolutions
of the newly formed Pan African Parliament (PAP), is the key to the
international reclaims of Our African/Ethiopian
"Sovereignty," and a paradigm-shift to a new education
shaped/centered around a Pan-African historiography, world view and
strategy of ongoing development: "local collective self
reliance."
It will be a new earth when every
African formation fully realizes that there is a seat for all of Us at
the AU Pan African Parliament. While the undemocratic nature of the UN
and especially the United Nation Security Council, becomes more
unmasked the importance of the AU will be more relevant to the lives
of Africans/African nations. The AU will become increasingly highly
appreciated, embraced and utilized. As We collectively march into this
new century/millennium the AU and its supporting regional bodies (ESA,
ECOWAS, COMESA, SADACC) will be the central recurring decimal in
international relations between governments, world forums,
international organizations, and humanitarian/environmental
organizations as the UN, the Arab League, ACP, CARICOM, OAS, the
International Red Cross, etc. The AU in consort with these governments
and agencies will have to combat and conquer the pandemic of A.I.D.S.
throughout the continent of African/among Africans internationally.
As Africa (and Africans) ongoing
development become more pronounced and ordered, there will be a
reversal of the contradiction of the richest Continent: Africa, been
the poorest - via forced underdevelopment.
To Our readership, travel on with a
sip from this scholarship and philosophy of "Rastaology,"
the total study of A People…. [We further urge Our readership to get
the Digitized Audio-Book/CD of this work.]
Give thanks and praises.
