Ethiopia–Jamaica relations
Bilateral relations
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Ethiopia-Jamaica relations are the bilateral relations between Jamaica and Ethiopia.
Origins
In 1948, the Shashamane Land Grant by Emperor Haile Selassie I to members of the Ethiopian World Federation led to a large Jamaican settlement in the village of Shashamane, earning it the nickname "Little Jamaica".[1][2]
Haile Selassie's first visit
Haile Selassie visited Jamaica on Thursday, April 21, 1966.[3] He was greeted at the airport with crowds playing drums and smoking large quantities of marijuana.[4] He was driven to the King's House to take up residence as the guest of Jamaican Prime Minister Donald Sangster and Governor-General Clifford Campbell.[5] He later addressed the Parliament of Jamaica, received the Key to the City of Spanish Town by Commissioner Eustice Bird, and visited Jamaica College.[6] During the visit, Rastafari representatives were present at all state functions attended by His Majesty.[7][8] The visit drew crowds of some 100,000 Rastafari who descended on Kingston's Palisadoes Airport.[4][9][10] Today the Rastafari celebrate April 21 as Grounation Day.[11]
Revival of relations
On 13 June 2016, Ethiopian foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom paid an official visit to Jamaica, the first by an Ethiopian official in 50 years.[12]
Diplomatic missions
Neither country has a resident ambassador.
- Ethiopia is accredited to Jamaica from its embassy in Havana, Cuba and maintains an honorary consulate in Kingston.[13][14]
- Jamaica is accredited to Ethiopia from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Addis Ababa.[15][16]