Ethiopians Call for State Funeral for Richard PankhurstFebruary 17, 2017 - Ethiopians yesterday called for a state funeral to be bestowed on Richard Pankhurst, according to the Telegraph. Although the campaign was only partially successful, it brought international attention to Ethiopia’s storied past, a history that Ethiopians maintain began with the Queen of Sheba. Others called attention to his service, calling him “a patriot of Ethiopia”, “a son of Ethiopia” or simply “a hero”. Richard Pankhurst struck a belated blow against Ethiopia’s former occupiers by leading a successful campaign to force Italy to return the Obelisk of Axum, a 1,700-year-old 79-ft stele plundered by Mussolini’s troops. Pankhurst was decorated by the Ethiopian president in recognition for his work, which did much to restore battered national pride.

Source: Ethiopian News February 17, 2017 18:33 UTC