Emperor Haile Selassie I (the 1st): Negus of Ethiopia, speech of 28th of February 1968.

Emperor Haile Selassie I (the 1^st): Negus of Ethiopia, speech of 28^th of February 1968.

‘Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and abandoned; that until there is no longer any first-class and second-class citizens of any nation; that until the colour of man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes, that until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race.

‘Until that day, the dreams of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain nothing but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained; until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the  eyes of all men as they are in heaven’.

‘Until that day the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if necessary and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil.’