Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, 1918-1967

DECREE - GRANTING CONSTITUTION

....We consider that it is Our duty to decree and enforce all the measures necessary for the maintenance of Our Government, for increasing the wellbeing of Our people and aiding their progress on the road to happiness and the civilization attained by independent and cultured nations. We consider that the way to achieve this aim lies in the elaboration of the present Constitution, which will facilitate Government action, whilst assuring the happiness of the people who will, in addition, derive from it an honour which will not fail to be reflected on future generations and will permit the Empire to enjoy the inestimable benefits of peace and security....

We, Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, having been called to the Empire by the Grace of God and by the unanimous voice of the people; and having the Crown and the Throne legitimately by annointment according to the law, are convinced that there is no better way of manifesting the gratitude which We owe to Our Creator, who has chosen Us and granted Us his confidence, than to render Ourselves worthy of it by making every effort so that he who comes after Us may be invested with this confidence and may work in conformity with the laws according to the principles established.

Having in view the prosperity of the country, We have decided to draw up a Constitution which safeguards such prosperity based on the Law and We have hope that this Constitution will be a source of well-being for Ethiopia, that it will contribute to the maintenance of Our Government and to the happiness and prosperity of Our well beloved people, and that it will give satisfaction to all. Having expressed and made clear Our will, We have accordingly decided to grant this Constitution.

The Constitution which is to serve as the basis, in the future, for the maintenance of the Ethiopian Government and of the laws which are based on it, and the means of applying such laws once resolved, will itself set forth the necessity of the measures suitable for ensuring its maintenance in order that this Constitution of Our State may remain perpetual and immutable.

Since Our accession to the Imperial Throne of Ethiopia, having received from the hands of God a high mission for the accomplishment of His destinies, We consider that it is Our duty to decree and enforce all the measures necessary for the maintenance of Our Government, for increasing the well-being of Our people and aiding their progress on the road to happiness and the civilization attained by independent and cultured nations.

We consider that the way to achieve this aim lies in the elaboration of the present Constitution, which will facilitate Government action, whilst assuring the happiness of the people who will, in addition, derive from it an honour which will not fail to be reflected on future generations and will permit the Empire to enjoy the inestimable benefits of peace and security.

Animated by this noble desire, and in order to enable Our State and Our people to obtain a high place in history, We have, after Our elevation to the Imperial Throne, and in the second year of Our reign in the Year of Grace 1923 (A.D. 1931) unasked and of Our free will, decreed the present State Constitution.

July 16, 1931.