Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I
DEATH OF DUKE OF HARAR PRINCE MAKONNEN
The Empress, Ourselves as well as the Imperial Family, have been deeply moved by the manner in which you, Our beloved people, have shared Our sorrow, on the sudden and untimely death of Our son, Prince Makonnen.
As We have had occasion to state in the past because We consider the people of Ethiopia as Our Children, We have not ceased to think of the welfare of Our people despite Our deep sorrow on the loss of Our beloved son. We have, therefore, resumed Our State duties and have likewise ordered all State organs and departments so to do.
Today, We have again sought to address you on this matter because of the increasing number of grief-stricken people who continue to follow from all the thirteen regions of Our Empire. Apart from those that come by train, bus and planes, there are those others who, situated in remote places, have had to travel by mule, on horse-back and on foot. Although We are deeply touched by their expressions of loyalty and love, We are nonetheless concerned about the difficulties that they have had to encounter in reaching Addis Ababa to express their grief.
Our beloved people! We had seen that Our sorrow is your sorrow, and that Our joy is likewise your joy.
Our beloved people! We strongly urge all of you young and old, in government services or in private life to return to your duties and occupations in your respective regions.
May the Almighty God render the tears which you have shed on the tragic death of Our son into a blessing and may He protect Ethiopia and Our people.
May 25, 1957.
Electronic edition created and published online by members of the
Emperor Haile Sellassie First Theocracy Reign
Order of the Nyahbinghi
September 27, 2017