October 2, 2000/Meskerem 25, 1993. His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President of the Ethiopian Crown Council, released the following statement to the press today:

"It has been 25 years since the death of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Haile Selassie I, and for 25 years Ethiopia has waited for the opportunity to mourn his loss and to honor his memory. During that time, we have traveled throughout the world, and spoken to men and women of all nations who share Ethiopia's respect and admiration for the Emperor. His Majesty lives on today in many forms; as the man who struggled to improve Ethiopian education and rid his country of slavery; as the lone voice of resistance in the chambers of the League of Nations against fascist imperialism; as the father of African unity and a symbol of African pride throughout the world."

"We will gather in Addis Ababa in November of this year to begin the process of recognizing these achievements. It is vitally important for the future healing, reconciliation and unity of our people that the November ceremonies be appropriate to the stature of His Majesty. Therefore, the Ethiopian Crown Council and Moa Anbessa (Ethiopians for Constitutional Monarchy) would like to take this opportunity to urge the current government of Ethiopia to honor His Majesty with an official State Funeral. This simple gesture would be a welcome gift to the Ethiopian people and the world community."

"It is to that world community that we turn now to share this request to honor His Majesty's memory."

"His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I was one of the most notable pillars of the League of Nations and then one of the most ardent founders and supporters of the United Nations and its goal of collective security. So we ask His Excellency the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, to join the United Nations' voice to ours to mark this occasion by requesting an official funeral for His Majesty, and an event officially recognized by the United Nations."

"Emperor Haile Selassie was one of the greatest champions of African independence, and in this capacity was decisive in helping to bring into being the Organization of African Unity. So we ask His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity, Salim Ahmed Salim, to join the OAU's voice to ours in our request for an official funeral, and an event officially recognized by the OAU."

"We ask also that all international civil rights leaders who respect the legacy of Haile Selassie take the opportunity that these November ceremonies offer to help us to educate the world about Ethiopia's plight and future challenges. Finally, we call upon all pan-African, Caribbean and Non-Aligned Movement nations --and particularly those which fly the Ethiopian colors of red, gold and green -- to lower their flags to half mast on November 5, 2000, and join us in celebrating the memory of our nation's father and Emperor."

"We greatly appreciate the efforts of all of those who have genuinely wished to see a great funeral for His Majesty, and for the efforts, devotion and commitment of the Ethiopian Church and the Ethiopian Muslim community who have supported the endeavor. We truly understand, and share, their impatience and the need in all of our hearts to give the Emperor rest; indeed, to give us all a sense of settlement to his great life and cruel death."

"We ask that the Ethiopian People assert their democratic right in petitioning the Ethiopian government to give this funeral official stature. We do this not only in recognition of the importance of the occasion, but also in realizing that much of the conduct and protocol for the funeral can be undertaken using existing State resources, obviating the need for the Ethiopian People --already beset by the economic hardship of drought, war and fire --to contribute their much-needed funds."

In the month of March 1896, the Italian imperial armies that had arrived from the Red Sea coast met the forces of Emperor Menelik II and the Ethiopian people, and suffered a decisive defeat. The moment was a turning point of the highest significance in Ethiopian history. European nations, busy carving up Africa into overseas colonies, were forced to acknowledge Ethiopia as a sovereign power, guaranteeing the preservation of Ethiopia's 3000 year tradition of independence.

Throughout the 20th Century, the Ethiopian Crown joined its people in annual services to commemorate Adwa Day. In this age, March 2nd is a day of reflection, and

Lauryn Hill, left, and Rohan Marley, center, son of legendary singer Bob Marley, are pictured here with Prince Ermias Selassie the night of the premier of Adwa: An African Victory. Grammy-winning recording artist Lauryn Hill is bringing attention to the problems that face Africa's children through her foundation, the Refugee Project.

one of thanksgiving for Ethiopians of all faiths. It is a time to celebrate in a spirit of happiness, but not one of boisterousness. It is a time for us to honour the sacrifices of our ancestors who rallied the nation at Adwa. It is even further a time to urge ourselves and our peers to rise to their example as we look to the challenge of preserving Ethiopia's unity and independence in the 21st Century.

In November 1999, Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima premiered his film Adwa: An African Victory in Washington DC's Lincoln Theatre. The support the film received attests to the living power of that victory even among Ethiopians in the diaspora, who continue to cherish their past and turn to it for inspiration.

The film's subtitle was An African Victory, and yet Adwa was truly so much more. First and foremost, it was a victory for the Ethiopian people, one unique in the history of modern Africa. It was a victory for Ethiopian unity and cooperation the lessons of which are still inescapable over a century later.

But Adwa holds lessons for the entire world as well. It is perhaps more than anything a triumph of good, a noble act of resistance against the evils of imperialism. For many centuries, Ethiopia has provided a remarkable example of a vibrant culture, a unique literary system, and ancient religious traditions. The victory at Adwa marks the moment in the modern world when Ethiopia again offered itself as an example for all mankind.

Colonized peoples the world over took heart in Ethiopia's victory, and used Menilek's call to arms as their own. Colonizing powers were forced to re-evaluate their own theories of racial superiority. Adwa offered the most poignant challenge to the prevailing world system that the nineteenth century had yet seen. And that challenge took firm root, bringing Ethiopia to world attention again in 1935, when Emperor Haile Selassie I spoke out before the League of Nations, decrying a system that turned a blind eye to resurgent Italian imperialism.

As each Adwa Day celebration passes, we must not let these lessons grow old and stale with time. Remembering Adwa is not simply an opportunity for us to celebrate our past, and hand our history down to the next generation. It is moreover a chance to translate the challenges of 1896 to meet the needs of 2000, to face military, economic, and humanitarian threats with unity, energy, and pride. Indeed, Ethiopia may never again face an invading colonial army, but we can be certain that the 21st century will offer us our own chance to march to a different kind of Adwa, and we must be ready for that moment.