EWF-Shashamane Land Grant
2005 Resolution - Trans. Exec. Cmte.
H.H. Ras Iadonis Tafari, EWF Exec. Cmte.
(3/2005)

http://EWF1937.org
In 1955, responding to the appeal of lands for settlement by the African American and pro-Ethiopia patriots in the "promised land" of Ethiopia, H.I.M. Haile Sellassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, granted the "Shashamane Land Grant" to the members of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated.  This fact has been misrepresented to the public and even the Ethiopia government who may not have had all the relevant details of this historic event.  H.I.M. Haile Sellassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, who graciously gave of Ethiopian "Crown Lands" and His personal estates to the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated members who supported and contributed to the Ethiopian War effort of 1936-1941.  In other words, the "land grant" was not given to the "Rastafarians" generally nor to any particular cult.  Rather, the very African Americans and Blacks in the diaspora who upheld, protected and defended the Ethiopian cause were rewarded for their patriotic and courageous outreach to the Ethiopian people in their hour of need.


It has come to the attention of the registered membership of the Organization that certain individuals posing as "Rastas" and others have attempted to sell portions of the "Land Grant" to private persons and even foreign corporations.   This is a matter of imminent concern and complaint to all of us.   Such actions must be reversed by the best legal means possible and the "Land Grant" restored to the proper authorities of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated.   

We, of the Transitional Executive Cmte. of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated, are still in the process of "cleaning house" of the illegitimate elements posing as "EWF" with the legal authority.  These persons and separate entities using similar names (identity theft) have caused must havoc and turmoil to the Organization as a whole and to the "Land Grant" in particular.   We appeal to you to start negotiations with our officials in New York, DC and Ethiopia forthwith.  There are background issues that must be clarified so that the Ethiopian authorities may know accurately who is in charge of the administration and who have separate agendas adverse to our name, aims and objects.   Some of what we refer to may already be clear to those who have visited and inquired of the "state of affairs" on the land.  We urge your government to work in co-operation with us to remedy effectively the stumbling blocks that have retarded the developments "on-hold" since the Derg regime's revolution of 1974.  During those years after Marxism, the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated's legal and constitutional authority was replaced by the present confusion.  Many different groups sprouted up with various false claims in order to grab land to this day.  Yet, this was not the original intent of Ethiopia when she gave that land to the African American and Black diaspora in 1955 as an inheritance.  The time has now reached when the membership of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated is mature, ready and willing to take up the task left by our patriotic ancestors.  We are a generation that protects the glory of our history and faith in the Almighty that right will prevail.  


Whose land does the "Land Grant" really belong to?
Some say it was given to the "Rastas", others to this group and some to that.  However, we know that they all cannot be correct.  Thus our collective executive investigation has yielded many important facts that are ignored or supressed.   Of these many misconceptions regarding the "Shashamane Land Grant" many have contributed to the present chaotic state of affairs in Shashamane.  Amongst those who claim to be "EWF" members generally, there are several that have no membership in the Organization and do not belong to a registered or historic local.  Certain officials in our Organization even believe that these "wolves" have been sent to scatter Ethiopia's true sheep who are desirous of their "promised land".   However, the presence of the past criminals and reprobates falsely claiming "EWF" authority have caused many legitimate EWF members to delay investment, interest and even emigration to Ethiopia.  Of these members, we have many skilled professionals, technicians and farmers among our registered ranks. We would like to prove to the Ethiopian government and our beloved people that our words and deeds are true and noble.  Their contribution is what Ethiopia needs at a time and hour such as this.  We are paving the way with you help both now and in the future.


Many foreign government have also continued to put pressure on Ethiopia to renege on the "Land Grants" agreement.  African American members in the US have been prevented in a number of ways and diverted into other activities in order to prevent them from emigrating to Ethiopia.   Popular yet false assertions have been circulated publically time and again for years alleging that the "Land Grants" in Shashamane was given exclusively to the "Rastafarians" and "Jamaicans Rastas" in particular.  These lies have also contributed to holding back the collective development of "We, the Black peoples of the world".   Many such outright distortions of the relevant facts and based upon ignorance need to be brought to the light.  


The real truth of the matter is that the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated namely by Ethiopianist African-Americans and Black people in the Americas formed the Organization with the blessings of the Emperor of Ethiopia and His special Emissary to "Black America", Dr. Malaku E. Bayen the great Patriot (1936-1941).  Widespread interest in the Italo-Ethiopian War inspired Afro-Americans in Harlem, New York to raise both moral and material assistance for Ethiopia and the Haile Sellassie government in the United States.  Afro-Americans identified with the Ethiopians racially due to the long standing importance of Ethiopia in the African American community.  Inspite of the Great Depression, the "Dark Day" of the 1930's, coupled with impoverished conditions and heightened poverty, Afro-Americans and Blacks in the Americas managed to give concrete aid and assistance to the Ethiopian cause.  The results of the pro-activeness of the Menilek Club of Harlem, New York, the United Aid for Ethiopia and the myriads of pro-Ethiopian societies and organizations culminated in 1937 with the establishment of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated in Harlem, New York City, United States of America.


Honoring the EWF's founding Ethiopian Patriots
It must be remembered and noted that an Afro-American delegation was sent to the exiled Emperor in England to legalize and authorized one organization officially recognized by the Ethiopian government and people.  The mission sent to England consisted of three prominent Harlem leaders of the Black community: Reverend William Lloyd Imes, Philip M. Savory, and Mr. Cyril M. Philp.  These outstanding individuals and Ethiopian Patriots deserve to be remembered eternally in loving memory along with Our Patron Saint, Dr. Malaku Emmanuel Bayen.  In the restored and improved modern Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated it is our firm intent, God of peace willing, to do so.  It has been proposed that a portion of the King's highway, the main highway along the Shashamane Land Grant be renamed in honor of Dr. Bayen and, if possible other edifices and institutions devoted to the perpetuation of his noble vision of Afro-American and Ethiopian unity and cooperation.  We hope to discuss this in more detail in the near future and are open to additional ideas and suggestions that honor our Ethiopian Patriots.


What must be done in regards to the "Land Grants" and Shashamane?
Due to the above stated historical facts regarding legitimate jurisdiction and authority of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated, many reforms and improvements must be implemented.  Our Transitional Executives and general registered membership have discuss at length the details of the past and the present situation that poses the greatest obstacles to present and further settlements.  Since the initial legal reforms initiated by the EWF Power-Of-Attorney Resolution 2003/04 and still being ratified by the remainder of the locals awaiting registration, many former members and new ones are desirous of volunteerism, outreach and, for those culturally prepared, eventual settlements in Ethiopia.  In the new EWF's "Project for the Ethiopian Millenium (2005-2010)", we briefly outlined the prerequisites necessary for progressive development and work beneficial to the people of Ethiopia.  This is the first step.  We desire to have our co-administrative authority re-established in Ethiopia and cooperation with the Ethiopian central and Shashamane local authorities is the foundation for that first step.

Secondly, in regards to those who presently claim residence on the "Land Grants" in Shashamane, Kotobe and elsewhere, their documentations and evidences must be presented and reviewed.  If these individuals and groups who claim some sort of "residence rights" due to the "Shashamane Land Grant" they must provide proof of EWF membership which agrees with the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated central authority.  Currently, there are many criminals and undesirable elements posing as "EWF" who have contributed to the present instability on the "land grant".  


EWF-Shashamane 2005 Resolution
The present chaos and instability on the "Shashamane Land Grant" must be immediately remedied by the joint co-operation of the Ethiopian authorities and the legal and registered Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated.  This means that all who claim any alleged "rights" must show the legal documents and proof of such which bears the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated "stamp of approval".  Too many disparate groups and cults have illegally attempted to occupy and settle lands in Ethiopia that legally belong to the registered and legitimate members of the Federation.  The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated is the official balabet or "land lord" of those inheritance lands.  It is necessary, in order to avoid the present confusion that all residents and settlers either provide proof or official and registered membership or they must be removed from those "crown lands".  As we have understood it, the land grant has been polluted and progressive development retarded severely over the years by undocumented persons and groups "squatting" and "loitering with intent".  


The only EWF group that this presently ratified "EWF-Shashamane 2005 Resolution" exempts are the legitimate Pioneer Settlers Corp. and the signorees who have legal rights honored by the present EWF Executives due to the fact that the 1967 EWF Power-Of-Attorney, Dr. Gladstone Robinson, appointed and sent to Ethiopia by the Executive Council in 1967 to act as the EWF-Shashamane Land Grant Administrator and official liason.  In 1970, in order to better co-administrate the "land grant" an agreement was signed with the Ethiopian government and witnessed by a legal and registered officer and attorney for the Organization in the United States.  However, this, the "Pioneer Settlers Corp exemption" is subject to the EWF and does not cover any group or individual whose claims cannot be verified by the EWF central authority's registry in the US and who refuses to be legally registered.  Those not in compliance with this resolution must be immediately removed until further notice.  They may make and appeal to the EWF central registry yet they cannot reside on Federation lands without the proper documentation.

These resolutions, if approved by the Ethiopian authorities, should be made effective immediately.  If there are suggestions or amendments that the Ethiopian government sees fit, please notify us so that we may approve.  

March 2, 2005

Drafted by: H.I.H. Ras Iadonis Tafari,
EWF Exec. Cmte. Chairman
(718) 573-0723
E-mail: ewf1937@aol.com
http://oocities.com/EWF1937
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EWF_LOJ

To apply for official membership, legal charters for Locals:
http://EWF1937.org
The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated
Legal Headquarters - Central Registry Office
26 Court Street, Suite 1902
(718) 694-9434
(718) 246-9186 Fax.


http://EWF1937.org
EWF Transitional Board of Directors/EWF Principals
Ras Iadonis Tafari, Intl Pres. (Power-of-Attorney)
Akiwa Gizzel, 1st Intl VP (Asst. Power-of-Attorney)
Tehetena Girma, Exec. Intl Secr. (Power-of-Attorney)
Dr. Gladstone Robinson, EWF Senior Power-of-Attorney (since 1967)
Genet Getachew, Esq. EWF-US Attorney
Dr. Malaku E. Bayen, Our Patron-Saint