Ethiopia awards Pan-African Prize to late King Hassan II for his dedication to African emancipation, Pan-Africanism

Ethiopia has awarded a Pan-African prize to late King Hassan II of Morocco in recognition of his contributions to the establishment of the African Union and his dedication to the emancipation of Africa and to Pan-Africanism.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented the award to the speaker of the Moroccan House of Representative on Tuesday in a ceremony held in Addis Ababa, on the occasion of the first African Youth Summit held from October 29 to November 1 in the Ethiopian capital.

Through this award, Ethiopia pays tribute to the late King for his dedication and contribution to the emancipation of Africa and to Pan-Africanism, sources of inspiration for the young generations for the renewal of African Leadership.

Late King Hassan II was honored with an exceptional recognition as a defender of the unity of Africa and the prosperity of the continent in a presentation before the Ethiopian Prime Minister, former African Heads of State, members of the government, the diplomatic corps accredited in Addis Ababa and high-level personalities.

The actions of the late Moroccan King in the fight against colonialism, in the establishment of peace, development and prosperity of Africa and his defense of Africa’s noble causes were highlighted during this ceremony.

In addition to the late Moroccan sovereign, the Ethiopian PM presented awards to the families of other late leaders, Founding Fathers of the Organization of African Unity and Pan-Africanism.

These include Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie I, Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Guinea’s Ahmed Sekou Toure, and Mali’s Modibo Keita. Other awards went to Côte d’Ivoire’s Felix Houphouet Boigny and Senegal’s Leopold Sedar Senghor.

The fact that this prize was awarded on the occasion of the organization by Ethiopia of the first African Youth Summit attended by 54 African countries recognized by the UN, denotes a great change and recognition of the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco, said the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in a statement to the press after the ceremony.

This Prize was decided by the Ethiopian Prime Minister in recognition of the efforts undertaken by African kings and leaders, he stressed, noting that the late Hassan II is the only North African Head of State who has been honored by Ethiopia as the founder of the pan-African organization and a leader who has contributed greatly to resolving several disputes and supporting the liberation of African peoples from the yoke of colonialism.

The four-day African Youth Summit brought together youth from across Africa, who debated ways of strengthening pan-Africanist visions and promoting the best interests of the continent.

“African youth are the ones who engineer what Africa could become by realizing the continent’s potential and looking beyond where it is now,” said the Ethiopian PM on Twitter.

He highlighted the leaderships of “pioneers from the past,” saying that they have “exemplified Pan-Africanism” and “laid the groundwork for it.”

Highlighting Africa’s great potential, the Ethiopian Prime Minister entrusted African young leaders with “bringing Africa’s hope to fruition.”