The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-01-30

enf following a "trip to Africa
which included visits 70 the
Sudan, Uganda, the Belgian
Congo, Ghans and Nigeria.
BY FR. PATRICK o'coNNoR
Society of St. Columbian
Two Chinese commun-
list correspondents, three
Soviet Russians and one
from East Germany were
among the journalists
covering the confer
ence of independent Afri-
can states in Accra, Ghana,
last April.
The foreign correspondents
who crowded into the Grand
Hotel in Khartoum last
February for the Sudan cleo
tons included a contingent
from communist-ruled coun-
tries.
These are some of many
Indications that the commit
nists are not overlooking
Africa.
While they certainly have
designs on Africa. those de-
signs do not seem 10 have
taken definite shape yet. The
communists are feeling their
way, seeking and training
possible leaders, and waiting
until political and technical
developments make Africa
worth . Isrge-seaIe offensive.
Communism in Africa lacks
the one vital advantage to
which it owes its greatest
gains in the Far East. Up to
now it has no army In any
African country.
Al present most of the cou-
munisfs' effort on Africans is
probably expanded outside
Africa. For years they have
been working on African stu
dents in London, Paris and
Brussels. In London, for in
stance. an international Club"
In Croydon is a communist
lure for Africans. There are
training centers for young
Africans in communist-ruIed
countries of Eastern Europe.
The one in Prague is probsb-
W the most important.
Every year delegates of
African youth associations,
labor organizations and politi-
cal parties are invited on jun
kets to congresses" in Mos
COW, Prague and Peking. The
red carpet is rolled out for
them and the Red party line
is rolled around them.
From Europe 49, Frequently
from Prague - stream of
communist publications flows
into Africa. Many are sent by
mail. Teachers and students in
secondary schools and uni.
vsrsities rank high on the COM
mvnists sucker lists. Mer-
chant ssamen bring eommu-
mist literature into Africa
through ports like Lagos, Nj
psria.
Inside Africa, the commu-
nists have kept their activi-
ties so far in low gear. No
professedly communist party
is functionlng openly In any
African country. None OF the
governments, African or CO.
lonlal, could be called com.
munist. They are all opposed
to communism, at least with
in their own boundaries.
But the communists have
their own organizations In
Africa. under thin DISCUSSES,
or Underground. And they in
filtrate other organizations.
The ~"Anti-imperialist Front"
In the Sudan, for instance, is
certainly . communist party.
" failed TO win even one seat
In last years elections -
which does not mean that
the party is harmless, OF
course. u publishes a daily
paper and . bi.wsekly review.
One Of It's chief officials is
fslIen-swsy Catholic. . young
attorney, from the south.
A strong minority Of the
students In the University of
Khartoum, In the capital of
the Sudan. are communists.
In French Equatorial and
West Africa, Communists
WELD influence in the UG-
TAN, Union Generate de Ira,
sailleurs d'Afrique Norie, a
labor organization. The UG.
TAN takes it cue from the
communist controlled CGT,
Confederation Generate Ira.
vail. in France.
In Nigeria some Of the
prominent men in ANTUF
(Ail-Nissris Trade Union Fed.
ersfionl have shown . com.
munisf tinos. Among the stu
dents in the University Col
IsSs Of ibsdsn. Nigeria. . com
munisf cell 10 active. under
cover.
The communists have some
vantage points in African
countries. These include the
Soviet and satellite embassies
and legations, especially those
in Cairo, Khartoum and Adds
Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
In Adds Ababa there is 1