Quarterly Chronicle

The Royal African Society

Quarterly ChronicleAuthor(s): Alan GraySource: African Affairs, Vol. 58, No. 231 (Apr., 1959), pp. 95-109Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal African SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/719374 .

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Quarterly Chronicle

Compiled by ALAN GRAY

nUEEN ELIZABETH the Queen Mother paid a visit to Kenya and x Uganda in February. In spite of the unsettled political atmosphere in Kenya due to African dissatisfaction unth the present Constitution, the Queen Mother was given an enthusiastic reception by people of all races. Her visit to Uganda was also an occasion for widespread demonstrations of loyalty to the Crown and for a show of tlle great popular affection and regard

felt for the Queen Mother personally. Queen Mother's Although the Elected African members of the

Tour Kenya Legislative Council decided beforehand that they should boycott functions connected with

the Queen Mother's visit, a number of them preferred to ignore the boycott and joined in t}le general spirit of rejoicing which her arrival in the country set in train.

The Queen Mother arrived at the new Nairobi airport at Embakasi on February 5, where members of the staff and others associated with the building of the airport were presented. With the Governor of Kenya, Sir Evelyn Baring, the Queen Mother then drove to Government House, Nairobi, stopping briefly at the Legislative Council buildings when some members of the Council were presented by the Speaker, and at t}xe City Hall to be welcomed to Nairobi by the Mayor.

At Government House on February 6, there was a reception for members of all communities. The next day Her Majesty was present at a rally in Nairobi of school children of all races, and in the afternoon attended a garden party at Government House. She paid a visit to Narok, in th.e Southern Province to attend a Masai tribal gathering. Nis was followed by a flight to Mombasa to meet the peoples of the Coast Province. On aval at Mombasa the Queen Mother inspected a guard of honour of the Royal East African Navy before driving through the town to Government House, where she stayed the night. The Queen Mother spent some time visiting the old Port at Mombasa, meeting Arab representatives and cruising by launch amongst the dhows in the Old Port. After a reception for women of all communties at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, she drove to Makupa Circle in the centre of Mombasa, where members of the Municipal Board and African leaders were presented. After dinner there was a reception attended by members of all races at Government House.

The Queen Mother returned to Nairobi on February 11. Members of the Nairobi County Council were presented to her at the County Hall in the morning, and in the afternoon she was present at a large Asian reception.

On February 12, Her Majesty flew from Nairobi to Nakuru, capital of tl}e Rift Valley Province, where she opened the new headquarters of the Kenya Farmers' Association and meet pis)neer farrners. She visited the African Community Centre at Bondeni (Nakuru),which included a homecrafts train-



f AFRICAN AFFAIRS

ing school for African women and a children's nursery school. After a civic lunch the Queen Mother left Nakuru by a train of the East African Railways and Harbours Administration to meet farmers in the agricultural areas of the Rift Valley Province. The Royal train stopped at various places, including the well-known Equator Station, where presentations were made. The programme for the following day included presentation of members of the Kitale Municipal Board, a rally of school children of all races in the Kitale district, a drive through the Mount Elgon farming areas and tea with representatives of all communities at the Endebess Club.

Representatives of the Uasin-Gishu farming area were presented to Her Majesty at Soy on February 14, and she then visited Eldoret and inspected a guard of honour of the Kenya Repment l)efore meeting Eldoret County and Municipal Councillors. The rest of the day was spent at the Royal Agricultural Society of Kenya Show at Eldoret. On February 16, Her Maj- esty drove on the new National Park Road over the Aberdares to Treetops Hotel, near Nyeri, in the Central Province, where she spent the night and watched game from the lookout tower. The original Treetops Hotel, built in the branches of a tree and overlooking a salt lick, was destroyed by Mau Mau during the Emergency, but a new and more modern version was recently opened near the site of the original structure.

Before leaving the Central Province, the Queen Mother met a number of local people at Nyeri, including Kikuyu who assisted the Government in the struggle against Mau Mau. She also visited the King George VI Hospital in Nairobi and was present at a civic reception in Nairobi's new City Hall.

On t}le last day of her Kenya tour, February 18, the Queen Mother flew from Nairobi to visit the peoples of Nyanza Province at the provincial capital, Kisumu.

On arrival at Entebbe airport in Uganda Her Majesty was welcomed by the Governor of Uganda, Sir Frederick Crawford, and, after inspecting a guard of honour, drove past cheering crowds to Government House, where about 100 local people were presented. Tb.e following day she saw the headquarters near Kampala of the Government of the Kabaka of Buganda. She was received by the Kabaka and met his ministers and chiefs. Afterwards she was the guest of the Kabaka for luncheon at his Palace. A State banquet at Government House that night was followed by a reception. A civic welcome by the Mayor of Kampala at the Town Hall on February 20 was followed by the opening by Her Majesty of the new library at the University College of East Africa at Makerere and the opening of the new headquarters at Lugogo, near Kampala, of t}le Uganda Sports Union, where the Queen Mother watched a sports display. That evening, after dining as the guest of the C}sief Justice, Sir Audley McKisack, Her Majesty watched a searchlight tattoo at Nakivubo stadium, Kampala. There was a large garden party in Her Majesty's honour at Government House, Entebbe, the following day.

On Monday, February 23, the Queen Mother flew from Entebbe to Kasese, at the footllills of the Mountains of tbe Moon, where she was received by the Procial Commissioner, Western Province. Some presentations were



97 QUARTERLY CHRONICLE

made at the airfield. This was followed by a Western Pronnce baraza (ceremony of welcome) at The Queen's Pavilion, Kikorongo, on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, where Her Majesty met representatives of the Province. Before luncheon at the house of the National Parks Director at Mweya, the Queen Mother drove through the Park, and in the afternoon went along the Kazinga Channel by launch to new the game. Then the Queen Mother went by air to the Murchison Falis National Park, where she was received by the Provincial Commissioner, Northern Province. The programme included a Northern Pronnce baraxa at Te'Okoto, in the National Park, a drive along the park tracks to view game, lunch at the Paraa Safari Lodge and a launch trip up the Nile to view game and the Murchison Falls. After dinner at the Safari Lodge, where Her Majesty spent the night, she watched African dancing by members of the Acholi tribe.

On February 25, the Queen Mother flew from Murchison Falls to Jinja, where she was received by the Provincial Commissioner, Eastern Province, and replied to an address of welcome from the chairman of the Municipal Council. After a visit to the Owen Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme, Her Majesty drove to the barracks of the Uganda Rifles (the 4th Battalion, the King's African Rifles) at Jinja, and lunched in the officers' mess. Later, she attended an Eastern Province baraza at Jinja before returning by air to Entebbe, where she again stayed at Government House.

An mformal reception for leaders of all races of women's voluntary organisations was held at Government House on the morning of February 26, and Her Majesty's final official engagement of her East African tour was a Press reception at Government House in the evening. The Queen Mother arrived back in London from Entebbe on February 27.

A N All-African Peoples' Conference held at Accra, Ghana, has decided to

set up a r)ermanent secretariat the main task of which will be to " accel-

erate the liberation of Africa from imperialism and colonialism ". It will be supported by a " Freedom Fund ", to be raised in Africa itself.

IXe Conference was sponsored by Dr. Nkrumah, Prime Minister of Ghana and more than 200 delegates from 60 political parties and trade union

organisations in 25 African countries attended. Accra Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Tunisia,

Conference Morocco, Libya, the United Arab Republic were represented by delegates from t}le parties forming

the Governments, all of whom subscnbed to the resolution calling for a campaign against South Afnca in protest at its racial policies. Severance of diplomatic relations, the boycott of South Afncan goods, and withdrawal of labour were among the measures advocated. Another recommendation was that no African State should have diplomatic relations with any country practising race discrimination.

The speeches made at the conference were uncompromising and dramatic-



98 AFRICAN AFFAIRS

ally keyed to tbe theme of the assembly which;in effect, gave the Europeans notice to quit Africa. The main difference of opinion among delegates was over the use of force to achieve this end. Most of the organisations represented had descnbed non-violence as their principle of political action, but delegates from Algeria said that they would leave the Conference if the use of violence in the situation in that country was not recognised. A resolution intended to meet both points of view was passed. It read: " RecoFising that national independence can be gained by peaceful means in terntones where democratic means are available, the conference guarantees its support to all forms of peaceful action. This support is pleged equally to those who, in order to beat the violent means by which they are subjected and exploited, are obliged to retaliate ".

Independent African States were called on to gilre maximum help to dependent peoples " in their struggle against imperialism and colonialism ". There was general enthusiasm for a proposal for a " Commorlwealth of Free African States ".

A co}nmittee recomrnended procedure for progress towards the following rsonal groupings: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and South Africa, these federations eventually combining in a Pan- African Commonwealth. The view of the committee was that the peoples affected by any proposed federation should express their consent by referen- duzn under United Nations supervision, and that a basic principle of all groupings or federations should be independence of each State under the government of Africans.

It was decided to form an African Legion of volunteers " ready to protect the freedom of the African people ", and to establish a " Freedom Day" to be recognised by all Africans and friends of Africa. A committee set up to consider racial discrimination had before it a stlggestion t}lat the basic pciples of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights should form part of the Constitution of every new African State as it attained independence, and also of the Constitution of any future federations of African States. Delegates from tlle Union of South Africa, Nigeria, and Liberis favoured the proposal, but it was attacked and defeated on the ground that the powers of new States should not be circumscribed, and that the effect of the recommendation would be to protect European, Asian, and African mirlority communities which must accept the rule of the African majority.

A delegation from the Algerian National Liberation Front said: " If Africa is awakening it must not make apologies or entreaties. We must wrest by force what belongs to us. No African must rsegard himself as demobilised from the struggle so long as any foreign nation dominates any part of Africa All forms of struggle must be adopted, not excluding violence ".

Mr. Mboya, the chairman, iIlterposed that nobody liked violence but that methods of conducting a struggle for independence rested largely with the Colonial Powers. If those Powers feared Communism they should match its internationalism by the internationalism of democracy. Dr. Gikonyo Kiano, an African elected member of the Legislative Council of Kenya, spoke of




Jomo Kenyatta, the impnsoned Mau Mau leader, as " a freedom fighter of

no less a calibre than Dr. Nkrumall ", and demanded his release.

The Afro-Asian group was represented by a party of observers, with

members from Russia, India, Communist China and the United Arab

Republic. Among other observers were three British M.P.s- Mr. Fenner

Brockway, Mr. W. Griffiths, and Mr. R. Edwards. There was a member of

the United States Congress, and others present were Dr. du Bois, the Amen-

can pan-Africanist, the Rev. Michael Scott} and Mr. Paul Robeson.

A NUMBER of Africans and Europeans were killed in serious rioting at

Leopoldville and other centres of the BeIgian Congo in January. Accord-

ing to Press reports the number killed was between 200 and 500, but the

official fivre was considerably lower. According to the Brussels correspondent of " lEe African World," Lon-

don, one of the main causes of the disturbances was undoubtedly the rise in the number of unemployed workers. Of the total

Congo Congolese population of 13,174,883 nearly a quarter

Unrest live in the Province of Leopoldville, and of these 359,332 are registered in the city itself; 40,000

of them come from other provinces and 47,000 from Angola. Nearly 100,0()0

of the Congolese in Leopoldville are wage-earners, but 25,0()0 of them are

workless. The incidence of unemployment increased sharply in 1957-58, due

chiefly to the trade recession and also to the modernisation and electrification

of equipment. Half of the Congolese citizens of the capital and its suburbs

are Bakongo, which explains why, aided by an effective election campaign,

the " Abako " group (Association of the Bakongo) were successful in the

municipal elections held last year and seven of the eight Congolese mayors

are Bakongo. Leopoldville has a European population of about 25,000.

of whom 20,000 are Belgians. In the political sphere, one of the chief causes of the disorders waR the

misunderstandinb, by most of the Congolese of the meaning of independence.

For most of them independence, a word which has been on the lips of many

since General de Gaulle's African tours, meant the end of hardship, the wiping

off of old scores, the dawn of the golden age. They failed to understand that

the Government's proposals for a greater measure of autonomy and the es en-

tual development of a Congolese nationality required long and careful study,

and when in his Christmas broadcast the Minister for the Congo, M. van

Hemelrijck, announced that a declaration on the future relationship betwein

Belgium and the Congo would be made on January 13, many of them thought

that the day of independence had come. When published however, the

declaration was regarded by some Congolese as indicating a stiffening of

Belgian policy towards the Congo, while others saw in it a confirmation of

the rigllts they had been promised and expected immediate recognition of

Congolese nationality. In reality no finn proposals were put forward by the



100 AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Minister because he was awaiting tbe report of the study group which, led by former Governor-General PEtillon, carried out an exhaustive enquily in all the Congo cities from October to December last year. The Minister referred to this report in his Christmas address and also in his speech to the Belgian Parliament after the disorders. Another main cause of tbe disturbances " lEe African World " says, was the activities of the Congolese nationalist groups, and chiefly the " Abako ", which is not essentially of Belgian Congo origin. It would like to restore the old Kingdom of Congo, incoxporating parts of Angola and the French Congo and almost the whole of the Belgian Congo. It is also a semi-religious movement inspired by Kibangism, which claims dinnity for its founder and preaches ex- treme nationalism and hatred of Europeans. It must be emphasised, the paper says, that not all the Congolese nationalist leaders supported " Abako " and that a large section of the population was opposed to its demands. It quotes the opinions expressed by such responsible Congolese as M. Edindali, chairman of the ClassFs Moyennes Inddpendantes de 1' Ud, who wrote in " Le Stanleyvillois " last December: " While the Belgian Government is trying to raise the status of the Congolese by easy stages and the Governor-General is introducing a more generous policy, it is deplorable that the " Abako " movement should attempt to hinder and to compromise the good relations between Congolese and Europeans. The policy of ' Abako ' in demanding full independence is opposed to the best interests of the Congo. Independence would carry immeasurable and overwhelming obligations. Can ' Abako ' find the men- cngineers, lawyers, professors, etc. who would be needed ? " Another leading Congolese, M. Mwissa-Camus, writing in the Antwexp newspaper " La Metropole " of " Abako's " demand for immediate independence, said: " We do not know the intentions of M. Kasavubu, the president of ' Abako '. We do not know what has been planned between im and the Frencb leader M. Fulbert Youlou, but we find a common point in the past of these two men both were identified with religous movements". Last Apnl M. Kasavubu was installed as mayor of Dendale, a suburb of Leopold- rille, and seized the occasion to deliver a violent speech denouncing Belgium's policy in the Congo. Another of those responsible for stirring up disaffection was M. Pinzi, mayor of another Leopoldville suburb, Kalamu. He obtained a grant of 100,000 francs to go to Belgium for the purpose of studying municipal administration and communal activity in the Belgian cities, but during his stay he had meetings with Communist leaders.

The Belgian Government's declaration of January 13 was clearly inspired by the conclusions reached in the report of the study group referred to above, but the renewed outbreak of disorders led to the modification of some proposals and tlle postponement of oth.ers. A Parliamentary Commission left for the Congo by air soon afterwards, and reported publicly and frankly itl Felwuary. Minister van Hemelrijclr announced in Parliament that he intended to undertake a personal and comprehensive enqliiry in the Congo occupying several months, and he has since left for Leopoldville. The Feport of the study group under the chairmanship of M. PEtillon was




published on January 30. A clearly written and infortnative document of 60 pages, it summarises the talks which the mission had with some 460 people livirlg in the Congo, including University principals, teachers, journ- alists, and notabilities both European and Congolese. T}we report aIlalyses the aspirations of the inhabitants, the rllythm and timing of political evolu- tion, the principles and methods to be followed) and miscellaneous problems. One interesting conclusion is that the members of the mission found very few people who wanted to see the administration and control of the Congo handed over to the Congolese authorities; it was the general opinion that authority must remain in the hands of a Government responsible to the Belgian Parliament.

The following account (based on the report by the provincial governor for Lower Congo) of the outbreak at Leopoldville was given by M. Van Hemel- rijck, Minister for Congo Affairs. He said that the 'Abako ' had called an un- authorised meeting at the Y.M.C.A., that incidents occurred when the police dispersed the gathering, and that the situation deteriorated when a police van was set on fire. Excitement spread and looting began. After consulta- tions with the mayors, a military regime was then proclaimed and the police were reinforced. Later there were incidents outside Leopoldville, and in some places European settlers were attacked by gangs. The police, composed of Africans under Belgian command) fired in self-defence against looters The army did not intervene, but some isolated Europeans outside the city resorted to arms.

The Minister said that trouble had been expected on January 13, the day on which he was to have made a statement on future relations between Belgium and the Congo, but these disorders, particularly directed against the Roman Catholic missions, had broken out meantime. Doubtless the African area of Leopoldville had become overcrowded. Efforts had been made to accommodate the 350,000 inhabitants and there were extensive welfare services; including distribution of food to the destitute. He put the number of unempIoyed at 22,300 (unofficial estimates are as high as 50,000), there having been a steady rise in unemployment since November.

The Minister said that agitation and unrest had developed because for a long time there had been no statement about the Congo's future. It was dangerous to let people remain in uncertainty. He remarked that one of the causes of the trouble was that Belgian political antagonism had been ex- ported to the Congo. Unrest, he considered, had aIso been stimuIated by events in French Equatorial Afnca.

King Baudouin announced in a broadcast speech that Belgium intends to lead the peoples of the Congo to " independence in prosperity and peace ". Independence, he said, was a status which united and guaranteed liberty, order and progress. King Baudouin said: " Our firm resolution today is to lead the Congolese population to independence with peace and prosperity, vethout damaging delays, but also without undue haste."

The King's broadcast was made only an hour before the Belgian Parliament was due to hear a Government statement on the Congo's political future. 8 \ol. 58



102 AFRICAN MFAIRS

The statement promised the Afncans limited votir1g nghts this year. The King's message was addressed to " my dear compatriots in Belgium and the Congo ".

Commenting on the idea of independencea the King continued: " In a civilised world, independence is a statute which united, and guarantees freedom, order and progress." The King said the independence could be achieved only throug}l solid and well-balanced institutions and administrative personnel-a well-settled social, economic and financial organisation in the hands of experienced technicians, and an intellectual and moral structure for the population " without which a democratic regime is mere derision, deception and tyranny ".

" If we do not hesitate to approve and to support the aspirations of our black brothers, we cannot alIow the fact to be forgotten that in 8() years of service and efforts Belgium has acquired undisputable rights to their sym- pathy and their loyal co-operation." The Wing said: " We are attached to the realisation of these basic conditions, and we intended to consecrate ourselves to them in enthusiastic, cordial and concerted efforts with our African peoples ".

King Baudouin said: " Far from imposing all-European so]utions on the Congo peoples, we intend to favour original adaptations". He said that a large degree of decentralisation, together with a rapid extension of the electoral system, and the abandonment of all discrimination between whites and blacks would enable the development of the Belgian Congo to go ahead. He alIuded to King Leopold II, who handed over the colony to Belgium 50 years ago. " The aim of our presence on the Black Continent has been defined by Leopold II to open European civilisation to these backward countries, to call their peoples to emancipation, liberty, and progress, after taking them away from slavery, illness, and misery. Continuing these noble aims it is our firm resolution today to lead the peoples of the Congo without procrastination, but with out thoughtless haste, to independence in prosperity and peace ".

A N outbreak of violent demonstrations by Africans in Nyasaland in

February led to the proclaiming of a state of emergency there and in

Southern Rhodesia, one of the other territories comprising the Federation. The African National Congress in Southern Rhodesia and its coullterpart in Nyasaland were outlawed and office holders arrested. Among those arTested in Nyasaland was Dr. Hasting Banda, president general of the Congress there.

The state of emergency decIared by Sir Edgar

Nyasaland Whitehead, Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, Emergency came before the Nyasaland Government's move.

Sir Edgar explained that the traditional British approach was to put off taking drastic action until violence or bloodshed made it imperative to act. He said that in Rhodesia the approach was different; they believed in acting before the trouble started.



QUARTERLY CHRON ICLE 103

In the period preceding the declaration of the emergency in Nyasaland there was a series of clashes between demonstrating mobs of Africans and the police. The nwnber of casualties was small, and the police opened fire on the demonstrators as a last resort. The demonstrators appeared to be particularly active in the Northern Province. They put Fort Hill airfield out of action for over a week by laying obstacles across it, and it was not until a police contingent from Tanganyika crossed the border into Nyasaland that the airfield was once more made serviceable.

The entire African labour force at the Kariba Dam site went on strike. Although it was stated when the strike first started that this was an ordinary labour dispute, it was later described as having developed a definite political side. The strikers rejected the contractors offer of a 50 per cent increase ill the basic pay rate of 4d. an hour for underground workers. It is believed that those who called the strike exploited the anxiety of the underground labour force following an accident in which 14 Africans and three Europeans were killed in a 200 ft. fall down a shaft when a platform collapsed. Mexl of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Rhodesia Regiment, were flown to Kariba to strengthen security forces in the area.

Sir Roy Welensky, the Federal Prime Minister, announced that because of continued unrest in Nyasaland he was calling out the Territorial Forces in Southern Rhodesia. Ihese reserves have been mobilised for stand-by duties in Salisbury, Bulawayo, Gwelo and Umtali. The call-up affected the first and second battalions, the Royal Rhodesia Reament, and a company of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Army Service Corps.

In making this announcement Sir Roy said: " I am well aware of the inconvenience and dislocation this action will cause not only to the affairs of commerce, industry and agriculture. Ivhe step has Vot been taken lightly and I am sure that everyone will appreciate that it is only through maximum co-operation and personal sacrifice that the object of maintaining peace and essential respect for law and order throughout the Federation will be attained ".

It was announced later that British troops were being held at readiness in Kenya to go to the aid of Rhodesian forces if needed. But Sir Roy Welensky is said to have been opposed to bringing in troops from outside the Federa- tion.

Mr. John Stonehouse, a Labour Party M.P., who was visiting the Federa- tion in a non-official capacit'y was deported by order of the Federal Govern- ment following a complaint by the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia about a speech made by Mr. Stonehouse at a meeting of the African National Congress in Salisbury. According to The Rhodesia Herald, Mr. John Stone- house, said among other things: " Lift your heads high and behave as though the country belongs to you ". He asked Europeans to search their consciences and ask themselves what future for the Colony there was if people were not given the right to participate in the ruling of it.

Mr. Stonehouse appealed to the Africans not to use force which " would



104 AFRICAN AFFAIRS

only invite the full force of power down on your shoulders and put the Afn- cans back five years ".

Mr. Winston Field, M.P., Leader of the Southern Rhodesia Opl?osition, said that it was appalling that any British M.P. should show such gross irresponsibility and direct interference in Rhodesian affairs as to address a meeting of the Afric Congress in Salisbury. In telling a large and ignorant crowd to behave as if the country belonged to them " Mr. Stonehouse was inciting people to civil disobedience." Mr. Field said it was time to take a firmer line with people like Mr. Stonehouse. If they could not behave themselves in Rhodesia they should be put in the same category as other ilTe- sponsible agitators and should be banned. The expulsion of Mr. Stonehouse was later the subject of a heated debate in the House of Commons. Explaining his reasons for declaring a state of emergency in Nyasaland, the Governor, Sir Robert Armitage, said he had taken this step because of the action of the leaders of the Nyasaland African Congress. He said it had " day by day " become increasingly apparent that they were bent on purstiing a course of violence and intimidation and disregard of lawful authority. Sir Robert explained that under the emergency regulations the principal organisers of violence and unlawful demonstrations were being arrested and being detained. They were at orlce being removed from the country, he added. In a debate on the emergency the House of Commons was told that the (;overnor had information of a plot by the African Congress to massacre whites, Asians and " moderate " Africans throughout the territory. The Colonial Secretary said that that was why it had been imperative for the GoverIlor to reinforce the police and military in the telotory. The commission of inquiry under Mr. Justice Devlin commenced its work at Zomba in the middle of April.



105 QUARTERLY GHRONICLE

THE British Govetoment has decided to speed-up constitutional develop ment in Somaliland so that the Protectorate will have an elected non-

official majonty before the end of 1960. It will be able to apply for self- government shortly after that date. The Bntish Govemment has agreed to consider sympathetically a constitutional resolution calling for a closer relationship between British Scomaliland and Somalia, the Italian Trust

territory which is expected to be granted independ- Somaliland ence in 1960. This policy was announced by the

Policy Colonial Secretary, Mr. Lennox-Boyd, in the course of a lrisit to the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa

He subsequently told the House of Commons that the policy he had announced had been communicated beforehand to the Italian and other Govern- ments concerned directly with affairs in the Horn of Africa, and that the statement he made at Hargeisa had taken the observations of these Govern- ments into account.

The following is the text of Mr. Lennox-Boyd's statement to the Somaliland Legislatlve Council:

" Last November the Goveinor announced certain constitutional advances and after the forthcoming elections the Protectorate t11 have for the first time a Legislative Council which includes elected members, and some of these elected members will be making themselves familiar with the work of some departments of Government.

' When he made his statement the Governor made it clear that further constitutional progress was being planned. In eonsidenng this matter H.M. Government have thought it right to pay special regard to the fact that the neighbouring territory of Somalia is due to become independent when the Trusteeship AgreerIlent between the IJnited Nations and the Italian Govern- ment comes to an end in December 1960. In these special circumstances H.M. Govemment think that there is justification for proceeding with constitutional development in the Protectorate at a faster pace than they believe to be suitable or advantageous in more norrnal circumstances elsewhere.

' I can now say that it is the intention of H.M. Government that by the end of 1960 there shall be an elected non-official majonty in the Legislative Council, together math a ministenal system under which a number of norl- official members of the Legislative Council will become members of the Executilre Council with executive responsibilities in Government.

" These changes sell raise important issues which will need to be considered. The Governor intends shortly to appoint a commission to make recommendations to him on the number of representative members in the next Legisla- tive Council, the method of their selection, constituencies) and similar matters. This commission will also be asked to consider the place of the traditional tnbal authonties in relation to the legislative and executive organs of Government, and how those authonties may best be associated with the future working of the constitution.

" The changes foreshadowed for 1969 mnll also involve a reorganisation of



106 AFRICAN AFFAIRS

the Government machine and some adjustment of the present budgetary arrangements. Tlue Governor proposes to set in train the necessaty exarnina- tion of these problems at once, so tllat in due time recommendations can be made to me about any changes which should be made in the present arrangements.

" By the end of 1960 there will thus be a non-official majority in the log;> lative Council and Somalis with executive responsibility in the Government. Thereafter it is the intention of H.M. Government to arrange such further constitutional steps as may be necessary to lead to early self-government.

" H.M. Government is aware of the desire expressed by many Somalis of the Protectorate that there should be a closer association between this territory and Somalia. If, therefore, when Somalia has become independent, the Lsslative Council of the Protectorate formally resolves that negotiations with the Government of Somalia be instituted to determine the terms and conditions on which a closer association of the two territories might be achieved, H.M. Government in the United Kingdom would be ready to transmit this resolution to the Government of Somalia and inquire whether that Government would be willing to enter into negotiation. If so, H.M. Government would arrange for negotiations on a suitable nature to take place.

" Whatever the eventual destiny of the Protectorate, H.M. Government will continue to take an interest in the welfare of its inhabitants, and will in the light of circumstances prevailing from time to time be prepared to give sympathetic consideration to the continuation of financial assistance urithin the limits of the amount of aid at present being provided to the Protectorate."

A CONFERENCE on Moslem education, held recently in Dar es Salamn lEand presided over by the administrator of the East Africa High Com- mission, Sir Brece Hutt, was attended by delegates from 12 countries: Tanganyika, Renya, Uganda, Zanzibar, the Somaliland Protectorate, Pakistan, the Sudan, Northern Nigeria, Somalia, Nyasaland, Aden and the United Kingdom. The conference reached agreement upon a number of

matters, including the setting up of a working Moslem party to consider details for the establishment in

Conference Zanzibar of a Moslem Institute for the teaching of religion, history and Arabic to Moslem students

from East Africa and Nyasaland. Sir Bruce Hutt expressed the hope that the working party would be able to report to him shortly.

Early in 1957, a fact-finding mission, consisting of Professor R. B. Ser- jeant, of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London University, and Mr. V. L. Griffiths, of the Department of Education, Oxford Universitys was appointed by the United Kingdom Secretary of State for the Colonies to study the teaching of Arabic and allied subjects in East Africa, and in par- ticular to assess the demand for higher Islamic studies. Dr. Serjeant and Mr. (Jriffiths spent two months in East Africa, meeting members of the Moslem



107 QUELY CHRONICLE

and other communities, visiting schools and obtaining the views of government officials. Their report, published in September 1958, stated that the study of Islamic subjects at university level did not exist in East Africa at presenta and made a number of recommendations regarding the develop ment of Moslem education at all levels. The conference at Dar es Salaam was a direct outcome of one of their proposals, and their report formed the basis of the discussions.

In his opening address to the delegates, Sir Bruce Hutt said that the importance of the conference was two-fold: it provided all opportunity for government officers concerned with the direction of education to obtain a full understanding of the basic problerns affecting the Moslem communities and the needs of Moslem education; and it enabled the Moslem delegates to express their views on these matters, and to learn something of the diffi- culties of integrating their system of education with the existing educational systems in East Africa. '? The many problems which Moslem education in these territones has to face " he said, {' include the teaching of Arabic and the shortage of qualified teachers; the lack of Arabic textbooks and grammars; the question of higher studies; and the need for a centre in East Africa for Moslem religious teaching and for teacher-training ".

The main recommendations of the fact-finding mission were approvedby the conference. For example, the decision to set up a working party on the establishment of a Moslem Institute in Zanzibar followed from a discussion of the mission's recommendation that advanced studies should be developed at the existing Moslem Academy there (which at present prondes education for post-pnmarzr students in Arabic and the Moslem religion), and that it should be enlarged, to provide both a centre for religious teaching and help in the education of the teachers needed to teach Islam and Arabic in East Africa generally. It was agreed that, at the primary school level, Moslem religious instrllction and simple Arabic could best be introduced into the Ordinary cculum in Moslem primary schools, and that teaching methods and syllabuses for these subjects should be brought up to date. To assist in this, the conference approved the recommendation that a book production unit should be set up to produce a course of books for the teaching of Arabic as a foreign language, similar to the course already in use for the teaching of English.

During the discussion, Sir Bruce Hutt reminded delegates that the East African Governments were unable, at presenta to accept atly large new com- mitments, and that the money needed for the estalulishment of the institute in Zanzibar would have to be found elsewhere, some of it by the Moslem communities themselves.

A DELEGATION from the Basutoland Council discussed constitutional 1t reforms uath Lord Home, Secretary of State for Commonwealth Rela- tions, iIl London towards the end of 1958. In a subsequent statement Lord Home announced that agreement had been readed on all the esselltial



108 AFRICAN AFFAIRS

features of a new Constitution with the object of placing more power and

greater responsibility in the hands of the Basuto nation. The new Constitu-

tional arrangements are based on the Basutoland

Basutoland Council committee's report recommending the

Advances establishment of a Legislative Council with law-

making powers on a wide variety of subjects.

In his statement on Basutoland's future Lord Home said: " The Report

on which our agreement is largely based, is an historic document on the

relations between H.M. Government and the Basuto nation. In accordance

with the proposals in the Report, I intend to recommend to the Queen, sub-

ject to certain legislative and reserve powers remaining with the SIigh

Commissioner, that the Constitution should establish a Legislative Council

for Basutoland to be called the Basutoland National Council. This Council

would be given power to legislate for all persons in Basutoland and would

have the right in addition to discuss those matters which remain in the

High Commissioner's legislative sphere. Its financial powers would include

the right to vote the estimates on Collncil matters and to discuss those

relating to the High Commissioner's matters. The High Commissioner wollld

be instimcted to observe a specific ratio of expenditure in relation to the total

Basutoland budget in any one year and would not exceed this ratio by more

than 4.9 per cent of the total budget without the prior agreement of the

Basutoland Council. The Council would consist of eighty members of whom

half would be elected by the District Councils.

" There would be an Executive Council established broadly along the

lines of the Report, comprising four unofficial members and four official

members of whom one would be the Resident Commiss oner, who would

preside. Local Government would be organised on the lines proposed in the

Report. " A decision with regard to the franchise was only reached after both

delegations had discussed with great care the special needs and circumstances

of Basutoland. Both delegations recognise that the proposal to base the

franchise upon membership of the Basuto nation was put forward by the

Basutoland Council in the sincerly held belief that it would operate effectively

and without discrimination. In addition, however, there were many other

important aspects relative to the problem; and both delegations are satisfied

that the best solution is to establish a single roll for Basuto and non-Basuto

British subjects and British protected persons. They have also agreed on the

qualifications proposed in the Report with regard to age, presence in an

electoral area for a specified period and the payment of tax it being accepted

by the United Kingdom Government, respecting the last of these, that a

revision of the present tax system will be undertaken wit2 a view to removing

any features apparently discriminatory on the score of race.

H.M. Government also recognise that the agreement on the franchise

involves some amendment in the existing law governing the residence of

non-Basuto in Basutoland, and the giving of awssurances regarding land,

entry and residence. These latter subjects are dealt witll in the particularly



109 QUAR1 ERLY CHRON ICLE

valuable and thorough historical section of the Report. I am glad to note that this section, which has of course been fully endorsed by the representatives of the Basuto nation, restates the privileges which traders and mission- aries kave enjoyed, and should continue to enjoy, in Basutoland. On these matters a number of declarations have been made by previous High Com- missioners, which are quoted in the Report, and I am happy to state that these still accurately represent the attitude of H.M. Government. " To summanse the main points: it is our understanding that the land of Basutoland is legally vested in the Paramount Chief in trust for the Basuto nation, and that Basutoland is not open to colonisation by non-Basuto. It is not the intention of H. M. Government to effect a change in this position. I also confirm that persons who are not members of the Basuto ation and who are made eligible for the franchise or are admitted to the franchise will not, as a result, acquire any right, or a claim to any right, respecting land in Basutoland, or any right to reside there. " Agreement has been reached with regard to the chairmanship of the Legislative Council broadly in accordance with the report. In principle the Chairman should be elected by the (Douncil as soon as practicable and the Constitution would make provision accordingly. " Both delegations were at all times anxious that the special position of the Paramount Chief should be recognised in relation to the new Constitution. The powers which he will exercise correspond to those set out in the Report and it has been agreed that to assist him in the execution of his duties he should have the advice of the Resident Commissioner, one person nominated by the Paramount Chief and the Paramount ChieiJs nomislee to the Executive Council. Both delegations fully recognise the important part which the chieftain- ship plays in the administration and in the general 1ife of Basutoland and here again the proposals of the Report were agreed with relatively minor changes.



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