Minneapolis spokesman., 1962-10-19
Focus On
Africa
BY EDDIE L. MADISON, JR.

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Britain, which became a reality
on October 8, marked a signif-
icant milestone in East Africa,
where the independence fever
caught on much slower than in
West Africa, largely because of
the greater number of white set
tiers who were reluctant to re-
lease power to Africans. With
Tanganyika, which became inde-
pendent last December, Uganda
forms an important link in plans
already underway for an East Af-
rican federation, which will in
clude Kenya. The latter anticipates
independence from Britain before
the end of 1868 :.
Efforts toward some degree Of
unity in trade, transportation and
postal services already have been
successful, linking Tanganyil1a,
Uganda and Kenya in what has
been called the East African Auth
ority. Independence in these East
African countries becomes even
more significant when the observ-
er considers the likelihood of an
exp and d federation. Zanzibar,
which also hopes to become inde-
pendent in 1868, has already ap-
piled for membership.
Ethiopia and Somalia, both inde-
pendent, are interested in an East
African union.
AS the thirty-third independent
African state, Uganda now looks
ahead with hopes Of expanding its
trade and developing in the fields
of science and industry. Visitors
to the opening program of the In
dependence Pavilion Of Science and
industry in Kampala saw sections
Of the pavilion exhibiting Uganda's
image in the past and future. The
exhibits were designed to show the
gradual application Of various
sources Of power to the varied
natural resources Of the country.
The Uganda exposition, housed
in a $4,000 pavilion, was dedi-
Gated by Prime Minister A. Milton
Obote, and following independence
ceremonies was open to the public
daily. Uganda, which will join the
British Commonwealth and the
United Nations, is the eighth Brit
ish territory in Africa to gain in
dependence since 1915.
Independence last week marked
the end Of So years Of British rule
in the territory. There are only
10000 whites and $4,000 Asians
among an African population of
some 6.5 million. Included in the
African population are three ethnic
groups Bantu, Nilotes, and
Hamites - all with different lang
uages, cultures and physiques.
Her minority groups now include
the worlds smallest men, the Pyg-
mics in the western Ituri forest,
and the worlds tallest - the Bat
utsi (Watusi), sometimes called
Tutsi, 10000 Of whom fled to
Uganda when their rule was brok-
en- in Rwanda.
The Republic of South Africa,
as was expected, has contested the
competence Of the World Court to
order the republic to end racial
segregation in the inundated ter
ritory Of Southwest Africa. Ask
ing for such an order are Liberia
and Ethiopia.
AS the World Court opened
hearings in the case in the Hague,
South Africa took the position
that the old League Of Nations
mandate over the territory had
lapsed with the league. South AZ
rica has refused to make reports
on the territory to the United Ma
tons.
Political and judicial observers
described the case as one of the
most important to come before
the international court. Liberia
and Ethiopia, in their application
to the court on November 4, 1860,
charged South Africa with numer-
GUS violations Of its mandate, in
Guiding the practice Of apartheid
or racial segregation.
The nature and degree Of South
West Africa's status has been in
dispute between the South African
Government and the United Ma
tons since 1850. Earlier this year,
two members of the UN Commit
tee on Southwest Africa were in
vited to South Africa, where apar-
theid continues to suppress free
movement Of blacks
The issue at stake before the
World Court is political rather
than judicial. South Africa's racial
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