Few publications have played a pivotal role in championing the nation’s struggle for independence in the shadow of Ethiopia’s tumultuous history, such as the New Times and Ethiopian News. First appearing in 1936, this London-based weekly newspaper emerged as an indispensable voice for Ethiopia, particularly during one of its darkest periods—the fascist invasion and subsequent occupation by Mussolini’s Italy.
New Times and Ethiopian News terminated on May 5, 1955, at the expiry of twenty years of devoted service. The newspaper and journal first appeared in the streets of London on May 5, 1936, the day Mussolini’s hordes of barbarians entered Addis Ababa. That was but one of many evil days.
The vintage-style graphic representation of the “New Times and Ethiopian News” story, featuring key elements such as Emperor Haile Selassie, Ethiopian resistance, and historical symbols of journalism and freedom.
In the midst of Ethiopia’s darkest hour during the fascist invasion of 1936, a powerful voice for Ethiopian sovereignty arose from London—the New Times and Ethiopian News. Founded by the indomitable Sylvia Pankhurst, this weekly newspaper quickly became a beacon for Ethiopia’s resistance, acting as both a chronicler of the nation’s fight and a clarion call to the world. On May 5, 1936, as Mussolini’s forces took Addis Ababa, Pankhurst’s resolve grew stronger. Determined to counter the Italian occupation and rally global support for Ethiopia, she used her platform to educate and inspire.
The New Times and Ethiopian News were more than just newspapers—they were a lifeline between the Ethiopian patriots fighting the invaders and the world that seemed reluctant to act. Through this publication, Pankhurst documented “the heroic resistance of Ethiopian people,” who fought tirelessly against the fascist occupation despite being outgunned and outnumbered (Ethiopia Observer, December 1956, vol. 1, issue 1). This paper symbolized Ethiopia’s undying spirit and provided a voice to those whose stories might otherwise have been lost.
New Times and Ethiopian News was founded and edited by Sylvia Pankhurst before the Emperor Haile Selassie’s historic arrival in London, on his way to address the League of Nations. It was produced at a time when Mussolini’s Ethiopian War placed the heroic resistance for their hard and lonely stand, also to the wider determined to help them in Britain and the Western World to help them in their resistance to the aggressor, so that justice should be vindicated and the aggressors expelled from Ethiopian soil.
The New Times and Ethiopian News was founded by Sylvia Pankhurst, a tireless advocate for Ethiopian sovereignty, just weeks after Mussolini invades Addis Ababa on May 5, 1936. Driven by her deep commitment to justice and human rights, Pankhurst’s editorial vision for the newspaper aimed to raise international awareness about the plight of Ethiopia, which foreign aggressors then attacked. Her efforts reflected a blend of journalistic integrity and activism, seeking to garner both political and moral support for Ethiopia’s struggle against fascism.
Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the New Times and Ethiopian News and the Ethiopia Observer was their role in highlighting Emperor Haile Selassie’s leadership during these critical years. In his famous 1936 speech at the League of Nations, Emperor Selassie made a passionate appeal, noting, “God and history will remember your judgment” (Ethiopia Observer, December 1956, vol. 1, issue 1). His words reverberated through the international community, reminding the world that Ethiopia’s fight was not just for its own survival, but for justice and human dignity everywhere.
Pankhurst leveraged her editorial platform to call on the League of Nations and other international bodies to support Ethiopia’s plea for freedom. She carefully documented Ethiopia’s noble resistance, giving a voice to the Ethiopian patriots engaged in an ongoing guerrilla struggle against Mussolini’s forces. Through her publication, she connected with Ethiopian exiles, African intellectuals, and global figures who opposed the fascist invasion.
By leveraging connections with key figures and global organizations, Pankhurst ensured that the Ethiopian plight remained visible on the international stage. Her efforts were bolstered by the speeches of Emperor Haile Selassie I, whose eloquent addresses galvanized support for his people. As the Ethiopian Observer noted, Emperor Haile Selassie’s speech at the League of Nations in Geneva was a defining moment: “His Majesty called upon those who govern the Ethiopian people to make promises to help them resist the aggression” and to restore their sovereign rights (Ethiopia Observer, December 1956, vol. 1, issue 1). Selassie’s appeals for justice resonated with many around the world and reinforced the critical role the newspaper played in amplifying Ethiopia’s voice.
The mission of these publications went beyond mere reporting. As captured in the Ethiopia Observer, their work was dedicated to “a higher sense of justice,” providing vital context for the international community to understand the importance of Ethiopian independence within the broader anti-colonial struggle (Ethiopia Observer, December 1956, vol. 1, issue 1). The New Times and Ethiopian News continually called upon Britain and the League of Nations to live up to their promises, using both diplomacy and public pressure to challenge complacency and push for meaningful intervention.
With New Times and Ethiopian News as its foundation, the Ethiopia Observer was introduced years later, expanding upon Pankhurst’s work. The Observer continued the legacy of providing comprehensive insights into Ethiopian politics, culture, and the ongoing resistance efforts. It became a trusted medium for those eager to understand Ethiopia’s fight for sovereignty, while also delving into the broader geopolitical concerns that influenced African independence movements across the continent.
The Ethiopia Observer was a testament to the resilience of the Ethiopian people and the global movement supporting their cause. It featured many articles on Ethiopia’s diplomatic strategies, Emperor Haile Selassie’s speeches, and the role of international bodies in supporting or failing Ethiopia. Moreover, it played a vital role in influencing public opinion, persuading audiences in Britain and beyond to advocate for Ethiopia’s freedom.
After Mussolini’s fascism collapsed under a deal to the Emperor Haile Selassie’s eloquent address at Geneva which clouded those who govern the Ethiopian people as they saw him helping the restoration; His Majesty took a promise to help them in their resistance to the aggressors, while awaiting the time to be offered a greater opportunity to gain help in the restoration of Ethiopia, a State which proved itself worthy of the League of Nations. His Majesty said, “It is our duty to God and State.” Shortly after the fall of Lake Tana where Gojjam was re-established, resistance began against the aggressor.
One cannot overlook the profound historical significance of these publications. Not only did they chronicle the Ethiopian resistance and the aftermath of Italian occupation, but they also provided a window into the broader anti-colonial movements in Africa. As the world grappled with the decline of imperialism and the rise of newly independent African nations, the New Times and Ethiopian News and later the Ethiopia Observer became crucial archives of the intellectual and political discourse of the time.
Even later, Mussolini collapsed, the bombs fell as London fled.
Years of pain followed Mussolini’s downfall: Ethiopia’s independence was proclaimed, and the rugby standard of Ethiopia was set up with the help of Justice and Emperor Haile Selassie, who had won new recognition after the proud knight in Gojjam and England. With imperial policy and free aid, Ethiopia resisted invaders and the invasion has proved that Gojjam kept a firm stand. Although Ethiopia maintained a strategic place, Ethiopians continue to resist invasion. An untiring movement kept the nation’s flames maintained and burning with the delay in independence.
Pankhurst did not relax in aiding the Emperor into whose charge this talented resistance of the Ethiopian patriots, in the name of the resistance, refused to give up until Ethiopia was liberated. Ethiopia stood up to the imperialists who sought to undermine and make Gojjam known for its freedom.
Reflecting upon the legacy of these publications, it is clear that their work went beyond straightforward reportage. They embodied a unique fusion of journalism, activism, and diplomacy. Their words preserved Ethiopia’s narrative, immortalized its struggle, and celebrated its triumphs. These publications remind us that the pen, wielded with purpose, can indeed become a powerful instrument in the battle for freedom.
As Sylvia Pankhurst and her team strove to keep the world informed, their work provided documentation and inspiration. The New Times and Ethiopian News will forever remain a symbol of Ethiopia’s fight for justice and the power of the press in shaping history.
The Legacy Continues
Though the newspapers may no longer be in print today, their spirit lives on in Ethiopian journalism, activism, and historical documentation. These publications are early examples of the power of media to influence international policy, fight oppression, and amplify the voices of the oppressed.
A public reaction to the paper’s readers in Ethiopia saw the global importance of resistance with all Pankhurst’s aims to maintain a record. Her work will stand as one of the most valuable services in the history of world journalism. Her name, which was linked with Ethiopian affairs, will remain honored in the archives of Ethiopian and African affairs. Pankhurst’s tireless efforts will remain prominent with the defense of Ethiopia and its lasting independence which was aided by the League of Nations in England.
After the termination of New Times and New Times and Ethiopian News in England, it became a standard that Ethiopia had won its independence by proceeding with full diplomatic services and rapid development. Restoration in Ethiopia’s sovereign life began.
In 1956, two decades after the launch of New Times and Ethiopian News, the Ethiopia Observer was introduced, further solidifying the legacy of these efforts. The Observer served as a platform for critical discussions on Ethiopia’s post-war reconstruction, modernization, and its ongoing importance as a symbol of African independence. The paper continued to emphasize the need for international collaboration while reminding readers of the country’s previous struggles.
As the Ethiopia Observer aptly stated, “The Mission of Ethiopia’s permanent resistance… was to ensure that determination does not lose its final aim” (Ethiopia Observer, December 1956, vol. 1, issue 1). Through these publications, the story of Ethiopia’s bravery, resilience, and quest for freedom was told to the world, making sure that history would never forget the sacrifices made by its people.
Then followed a decade of political argument in support of the Ethiopian people, which led to the re-unification of the Horn of Africa and, thus, its struggle. Although the worst fascism had been vanquished, the struggle against colonialism intrigue remained. The New Times and Ethiopian News had declared “No truce in the war against fascism and imperialism,” the newspaper said in closing that the fight for liberty, international justice, and independence was unceasing.
As soon as Ethiopian independence was restored, it became possible to bring the glory of Ethiopia, a nation possessing incomparable happiness for any other! Under Emperor Haile Selassie after the country had freed, Ethiopia set up free labor to guard against imperialism, and the diplomatic service was equal to the standard of Europe.
The historian of the future will not underestimate the significance of the blood and indomitable guidance in its struggle for the rebirth of a State. By 1956, with Ethiopia’s sovereignty restored, the Ethiopia Observer reflected on the past and the promise of the future. It maintained a critical eye on world politics and the evolving global landscape, cautioning against underestimating “the influence of the future and the indomitable guidance” that Ethiopia’s example of resistance could provide (Ethiopia Observer, December 1956, vol. 1, issue 1).
The Mission of Ethiopia Observer is to maintain the record of Ethiopia’s present resistance and to achieve the record of Ethiopian independence through the years, with the Emphasis, “Where do we go from here?” The journal which will blend the last record of Pankhurst and the new achievements achieved in Addis Ababa and all other important developments, will show that Ethiopia has restored its sovereignty to the fullest extent. The arrival of this journal is aimed at helping achieve mutual recognition with Ethiopian permanent independence. In this respect, it will embrace a range of topics, including political, economic, technical, and industrial. The journal aims to inspire both present and future generations with the fact of Ethiopia’s role and history.
Henceforth, the Ethiopia Observer will be published quarterly. It proposes to include notes for binding a complete issue page for immediate readers and for all periods of research. It will include a diary of Ethiopian events, with detailed coverage of the struggle’s influence, as well as political, historical, diplomatic, and other matters concerned. Each quarterly issue will contain a diary of Ethiopian events.
By Ayele Addis Ambelu (journalist and Media Educator) Ayeleradio@gmail.com
