Emperor Haile Selassie I and France: A Meeting of Empires and Diplomacy

🇫🇷 A Royal Welcome in the Heart of Europe

France played a significant role in the diplomatic journey of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Long before modern alliances, Ethiopia and France shared a relationship built on culture, diplomacy, and mutual respect.

When Haile Selassie visited France, he was received not merely as a visiting head of state, but as a hero of justice and a guardian of African sovereignty.
His presence symbolized a bridge between ancient African royalty and European power.

Historic Moments in France

1936: After Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie made a powerful visit to France on his way to the League of Nations in Geneva.
French officials, artists, and scholars showed deep admiration for his courage against imperial aggression.
France provided support for the Ethiopian cause through diplomatic channels, although internal politics made full military support complicated.

Later visits in the 1950s and 1960s further solidified Franco-Ethiopian relations.

Meetings with Leaders

Met with President René Coty and later President Charles de Gaulle.
Discussed matters of African independence, global peace, and education.
Emphasized Ethiopia’s role as a founding voice of African dignity on the world stage.

Haile Selassie admired the French emphasis on culture, education, and diplomacy — and sought to model Ethiopian modernization partly on those ideals.

Honors and Public Admiration

Treated with full state honors, including parades and formal receptions at the Élysée Palace.
Praised in the French press as the “Lion of Judah who stood against tyranny.”
French intellectuals like Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber admired his global vision.

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted… that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” — Haile Selassie I

Legacy of the French Connection

The visits to France helped Haile Selassie:

Strengthen Ethiopia’s cultural and diplomatic presence in Europe.
Inspire Afro-European dialogue during the decolonization era.
Build friendships that would influence African nations seeking independence.

France today continues to recognize Ethiopia’s important historical place in African and world affairs, a relationship rooted partly in these royal encounters.