SIR,—It is easier to praise than to try to criticise
Mr. Creighton's article Congo Nerves on page 173 of July 29 issue. Had he omitted the last paragraph of it, any adverse comment from an African would have been inconceivable.
One certainly expected the irresponsible Right- wing extremists among the Europeans (who implac- ably oppose colonial liberation movements) to express delight on reading the highly sensational but sad and inaccurate reports of the administrative 'chaos' in Congc after independence. They said, 'We told you so.' Yet, what i it that they had told us? Was it that Africans were incapable of governing themselves without chaos? The events in Congo do not support this view because there are many Inde- pendent African States which are happy, peaceful and orderly.
Or did they foresee revenge against the Europeans by the Africans who feel that they have suffered merciless exploitation and severe oppression for over a century? Many people would deny knowledge of any such prdphecy. Reports of revenge and hatred against Europeans (if true) came as a shocking sur- prise and this is why it is regarded as the number one lesson. However, it is highly improbable that it could happen elsewhere Nevertheless, yolk readers should appreciate that violence against the Belgians (however vicious) was not altogether unprovoked. The Belgian Army officers sere disloyal to the new Congolese Govern- ment and refused to have the Army Africanised. Congolee wanted full or real as opposed to 'paper' or national independence; hence the refusal of the Force Publique to obey Belgian Army officials. In other words (and as Mr. Lumumba was at pains to explain at the press conference he gave at the London Airport), there was never any 'mutiny' properly so called. Moreover, the Belgians have never even tried to deny or conceal their (evil) designs to have a separate wealthy Katanga State controlled by their puppet and oppressive 'African' Government. For the above reasons, Africans seem exclusively con- cerned with the invasion by the Belgians into the free Congo without consulting the President or Premier.
Now that there is chaos in both South Africa and
Southern Rhodesia (white governed), shall we also turn round and say, 'W.: told you so'? Obviously,
everyone is back where they started. And where do
we go from there? The concepts of 'partnership' or 'multi-racialism' are unreal and self-deceptive. As
you quite rightly pointed out on July 15, these con-
cepts are 'being used . . . as a cover for continued domination of white over black. . . . One of the lessons of events in Congo would seem to be that this camouflage cannot continue.' Eventually the only solution lies in non-racialism which is advocated by all of us in East, Central and South Africa.— Yours faithfully,
M. MAINZA CHONA
Vice-President and UK Representative.
United National Independence Party, Northern Rhodesia (London Office), 200 Gower Street, NW!
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