St. Paul recorder., 1963-09-19
Central African
Federation Bre0tupS
Vindicofed Blacks
By William A. Payne and
David A. Talbot


ton Of the Central African Feder-
alton ended with a decision that
the 10-year experiment - from
the outset, denounced by Africans
should be dissolved on December
4 this year. Thus, in about two
months from now, the people Of
Central Africa and their leaders
will be vindicated.
Within the last year or so, it
was evident that this moment was
imminent. The battle waged by
Sir Roy Welensl1y, erstwhile prem
fer Of the federation, to save it
reads like a tragedy. For the Afri-
cans - except for the indecisive
fate Of Southern Rhodesia - it
has proved to be a drama with a
happy ending.
Therefore, the Victoria Falls
conference will be ascribed a place
as one of the land marks in Afri-
can history - where the will Of
the African people, expressed so
well through the Northern Rhod-
esian delegation, trdunphed after
10 years of negation.
Despite all the premonitions of
fireworks and the fears of failure,
the Victoria Falls conference was
a peaceful affair. Even the terri
e-tempered WelenslIy conducted
himself with the dignity that his
office called for. He did this al
though, as he said later, ''the con-
ference has not, despite the gen.
orally cooperative atmosphere,
been a particularly happy expert
ence for any of those on the Fed
eral team, least of all for my
self"
However, the conference happi-
ness may change when the real
task of dsmantling the Federation
takes place. 1t Is in the hands of
two post-conference committees
working groups-to settle the
most thorny problems Of this po-
hdcal and economic divorce. The
problems are: Federal Public Serv-
ice, ALLEGATION Of assets and Habil-
tiles, including the public debt;
future inter-territorial collabora-
ton - Central African airways,
railroads, Kariba dam, the none
tary system; federal citizenship,
transfer Of taxation functions to
territorial governments; and re-
placement Of the federal Supreme
court by an Appeals court.
Easily these problems are the
CUTS of final and official dissolu-
ton of the Central African Fedora
ton. One can see why African
nationaists, who have learned not
to trust Europeans in the Fedora
ton, are apprehensive about the
solution to these problems by the
end of the year.
Taking the disnantHng of the
Federation in proper perspective
until the fate of Southern Rhodesia
is settled - the problem can not
be considered resolved. It is no
secret that the white-ruled Sails
bury could now become the catch
ment for those elements that still
worship the idol of settler domin-
alton in that area.
Neither can one expect that the
struggle is ended. To believe other
wise would be to court undue cred
uIity. The settler minority In the
now out-dated federation has fed
upon power for a long time, and
Southern Rhodesia represents more
than just a symbol Of this power
It would not be surprising If a
desperate last stand were made to
rally opposition to black major1-
ty government there.
Another problem Of supreme
concern to the African national.
lists Is the question Of the defense
forces. The African leaders wanted
the forces, including the Royal All
Force which Is a formidable jet.
equipped outfit, to be divided
equally between the three terrttor,
les. They look with some appre,
hension at the Royal Rhodesiar
Air Force reverting completely tc
the control Of the Southern Rho.
desians who have made it plain
that they will defend "by all pos.
sfble means" their government
from attack. With the Adds Ababa
resolutions calling for all liberated
Africa to serve as a base for over.
throwing the settlers of Southern
Rhodesia, the Northern Rhodesians
and the Nyasalanders are terribly
vulnerable before the armed forces
Of Southern Rhodesia.
The number one politician tc
come out Of the Victoria Falls con-
ference was the leader Of the
Northern Rhodesia's United Ma
tional independence Party (UNIP)
Kenneth Kaunda. Although he was
attacked by his colleague Harry
Nluunbula for being a Nyasa and
not a Northern Rhodesian, Kaunda
stood head and shoulders above
the crowd. He carried the ball for