RESTORE THE MONARCHY – says HIH Prince Ermias

The recent deaths of the two  leaders of Ethiopia, Abune Paulos , Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, have placed Ethiopia in the world news spotlight.  Though both men have been praised for their good works, the criticisms of both have caused many to see their death as the end of an era and the possible beginning of a new Ethiopia.

A careful read of the BBC News report (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19328356)  of Zenawi’s passing shows that all is not well in Ethiopia, despite economic gains.  Suppression of democracy, imprisonment, torture and exile are the tools Zenawi used to maintain his rule.  Likewise, Paulos incurred the wrath of EOTC clerics and faithful when he accepted the post of Patriarch after the Marxist Mengistu regime fired the previous Patriarch, who did not approve of the Derg deposing  the Emperor, assasinating 60 of his loyal aides and imprisoning those of the Royal family who had not escaped Ethiopia.

We must note the words of His Imperial Majesty that can provide guidance on how to deal with these changes. He said: “… Our efforts as free men must be to establish new relationships, devoid of any resentment and hostility, restored to our belief and faith in ourselves as individuals, dealing on a basis of equality with other equally free people…” HIM Haile Selassie I.

It is therefore now time to raise the issue of the Restoration of the Ethiopian Monarchy, as I&I Rastafari are convinced that Ethiopia will benefit from returning to the old ways of government that united, rather than divided the population.  With this in mind, the Rastafari Think Tank shares a 1997 letter from His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, chairman of the Ethiopian Crown Council, to the Rastafari nation.