Written: July 20, 1987
Published: July 21, 1987
Source: The Ethiopian Herald, July 21, 1987
Digitalisation: East View
Proof-reading: Vishnu Bachani
HTML: Vishnu Bachani
Mrs. Chairwoman,
Honourable Ministers,
Representatives of National Liberation Movements,
Distinguished Guests,
Comrades.
On behalf of the Workers' Party, Government and People of Socialist Ethiopia and that of my own, I would like to express, at the very outset, my heartfelt pleasure to welcome all the delegates who have gathered here to attend the 46th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of our Organization.
Distinguished Ministers,
During your current session you are, as in the past, expected to discuss in depth the major political, economic and social problems that continue to beset our continent since the last Summit, and prepare an agenda and concrete proposals for the 23rd Assembly of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place within a few days. I am confident that you will ably discharge the heavy responsibilities entrusted to you.
With regard to the political developments in our continent, the situation obtaining in Southern Africa is becoming ever more pressing, and a matter of increasing concern. It is evident that the appalling situation in the region has further deteriorated since the last ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of our Organization.
The racist regime continues to contemptuously trample underfoot the dignity of the African black majority with the purpose of perpetuating the selfish interests of the few European settlers. The election conducted by whites and for whites only, in early May, is but another demonstration of the obduracy of the racist regime.
Moreover, it is to be recalled that, in utter disregard for international public opinion, the Pretoria regime has extended its national emergency laws, declared in June, a year ago, for a further twelve months, with the view to intensifying its ruthless acts of oppression.
Over and above the atrocities it commits at home, the fascist regime has also persisted in its illegal occupation of Namibia and the insatiable plundering of its natural resources.
To add insult to injury, it persistently continues its despicable policy of destabilisation and open aggression against the Frontline and other neighbouring states. The flagrant aggressions and the latest explosive attacks carried out in Livingstone (Zambia) and, more recently, in Harare (Zimbabwe), Maputo (Mozambique) and other places are well-known to us all.
Some Western governments, especially those of the United States and Great Britain, who encourage and connive in these illegal acts, are reported to have indirectly rendered their full support to the farcical whites-only elections. Moreover, they have also arrogantly vetoed, once again, the resolution for the independence of Namibia that was presented by the African and Non-Aligned Groups to the special session of the Security Council last April, requiring comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the racist regime in Pretoria. These governments regrettably continue to draw parallels totally irrelevant to the issue of the independence of Namibia.
It is most evident that the eradication of the odious system of Apartheid from our continent is the one and only solution to the problems of Southern Africa. Hence, it is imperative that the international community should step up its political, diplomatic, material and other support to the Liberation Movements of South Africa and Namibia, namely the ANC and SWAPO respectively. Having due regard to the vital necessity of imposing comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the racist regime in Pretoria with the view to strengthen the armed struggle, the efforts to realize this objective should also be relentlessly pursued.
It is equally significant that all possible assistance be extended to the Frontline and other neighbouring states, which, due to their support to the struggle of the people of South Africa and Namibia, have become targets of the racist regime.
Furthermore, it is expected from this conference to, once again, launch an appeal to the democratic and peace-loving forces of the world, to increase all-round support for the intensification of the armed struggle. Likewise, the political and diplomatic efforts towards the imposition of comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the racist regime, in accordance with Chapter VII of the UN Charter, must be vigorously pursued.
Distinguished Ministers,
Africa, the home of nearly 10% of the world's population, is known to be endowed with enormous natural resources which have, for centuries, been brazenly exploited by colonialism and neo-colonialism.
Coupled with the recurrent drought and primitive agricultural practices, there has been a market deterioration of the agricultural sector, ultimately resulting in the decline of food production.
We believe that the improved rainfall and weather condition in many parts of our region and the efforts to inject modern technology into our agricultural practices will, hopefully, assist our efforts towards food self-sufficiency.
The effort exerted to promote trade exchanges among our countries and attain economic independence by accelerating our development, and to eventually establish the Economic Community of Africa by the year 2000, in accordance with the Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Lagos has been a source of encouragement. We believe that the organizations already established to promote closer cooperation amongst African nations at the subregional level will serve as a basis for the establishment of our regional economic community geared towards the achievement of collective self-reliance.
Over and above our efforts for collective self-reliance in consonance with the Lagos Plan of Action, we must also seek cooperation with developing countries in other parts of the world. In this regard we must step up our participation in the Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement.
In the light of what I have stated, the achievements of the First Extraordinary Conference of Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement on South-South Cooperation recently held in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, could be said to have greatly contributed towards the attainment of our stated objectives.
It is also to be recalled that, in our determined effort to surmount the economic and social crisis facing us, we Africans have adopted Africa's Priority Programme for Economic Recovery at the 21st Summit of our Organization held in 1985. Accordingly, the efforts deployed so far to integrate the Programme in our national plans and to attain food self-sufficiency are yielding some positive results. The fact that overall food production in Africa in 1986 has shown an increase of 3% is encouraging.
While the responsibility of putting our economic house in order is primarily ours, the sympathy and support of the international community is of utmost importance. It is to be recalled that, to that end, we had taken initiatives for the convening of the 13th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly last year at which there emerged a general consensus of the magnitude of our problems and a determination to support our efforts. Nevertheless, because of the absence of any meaningful result, we still have to continue our efforts so that the international community honours its pledge and implements the Programme adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
In this connection, it is necessary that the efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Advisory Group be further intensified.
Distinguished Ministers,
The sluggish demand and ever declining prices for our export commodities on the one hand, and the ever mounting prices of industrial goods and the accumulation of crushing external debt on the other are among the major causes for the economic crisis in Africa. Hence, our representatives at the Seventh Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development currently underway in Geneva should do their utmost to press for the adoption of proposals and resolutions calling for measures that would alleviate our manifold problems.
Since the existing unjust and inequitable world economic relationships are the major causes for the economic crisis facing the developing countries in general, and Africa in particular, we in Africa, together with other developing countries, must continue the struggle for the establishment of the New International Economic Order.
Distinguished Ministers,
That Africa's ever accumulating external debt is a matter of grave concern should be stated without any ambiguity. As Africa bears about 20% of the external debt burden of developing countries, its difficulties have indeed been compounded. Likewise, the amount of debt servicing has been escalating. Prompt initiation of negotiations with creditor countries and organizations is therefore very essential.
In the meantime, however, there is no alternative to continuing to draw the attention of all concerned to the need for easing Africa's present difficulties while at the same time pressing for the convening of an International Conference on Africa's External Debt.
Efforts to completely liberate our economies from external dominaticn and to lay down the foundation for self-reliant development in conformity with previous decisions at African as well as other international fora should be pursued with more vigor.
It is also incumbent upon us to redouble our efforts to ensure the prevalence of international peace, disarmament and the peaceful resolution of persistent regional tensions and continuing armed conflicts.
Honourable Ministers,
I have tried to draw your attention, albeit in broad outlines, to the magnitude of the problems confronting Africa in the hope that you will earnestly discuss the issues involved in the course of your deliberations and submit useful proposals for consideration by the forthcoming summit.
Finally, I would like to express my best wishes for the success of your deliberations and assure you of the full cooperation of the Government and People of Socialist Ethiopia in the discharge of your important responsibilities.
Long live African unity!!
Thank you.
[1] Given that the original scan is available, minor typos have been corrected without using [sic].