President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, has hailed Jamaica as a vibrant democracy and a good example for other countries.

“Democracies evolve and the Jamaican experience of different people, one nation is something that will resonate in any nation, and this is the challenge we hope that Africa can learn from,” said the Prince.

He was giving brief remarks during a visit to the Senate on Friday.

The Prince, who is the grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I, arrived in Jamaica on Thursday, October 13. He is Jamaica’s special guest for National Heritage Week which culminates on National Heroes Day on Monday, October 17.

The Prince said it is a special privilege for him to be in the room where his grandfather spoke more than five decades ago.

“It’s a room I have witnessed on video only, during my grandfather’s address to the nation, so I feel a part of that history and I am especially delighted that I have been invited to Jamaica by the Government,” he said.

He thanked Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange and all those who worked to make his visit possible.

“I look forward to further exchanges, and I want to thank the people of Jamaica for having given me this opportunity, and of course, thank you for giving me this chance to speak,” he said.

Deputy Leader of Government Business in the Senate and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill, welcomed the visiting delegation, noting that Jamaica and Ethiopia share very strong and long ties.

“I am very pleased to be here today to see our visiting guest addressing us in Parliament as his grandfather did so amazingly, historically well in 1966,” Hill said.

In welcoming the Prince and his delegation, Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Senator Peter Bunting, also noted the ties the nations share.

“We recognise the powerful, historical and cultural ties that we have with your country and, indeed, more broadly, with the continent of Africa. We hope that you will enjoy your visit and that you will continue to have good relations with the Government and people of Jamaica,” Bunting said.

Senate President, Senator Tom Tavares-Finson, noted that he and Opposition Senator Lambert Brown, were students at Jamaica College when Emperor Haile Selassie I, visited the school in 1966.

“So, it holds special importance for us that you are here today,” he told the Prince.

Prior to his address to the Upper House, the Prince met President of the Senate, Senate members, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Marisa Dalrymple Philibert and Clerk of the Houses of Parliament, Valrie Curtis.

The Prince is accompanied on his trip to Jamaica by his wife, Princess Woizero Saba Kebede.