UMUMBA'S CONGO

by Washington Okumu ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 19, 1963

An African, Kenya born, takes a sharp look at the former Belgium Congo, relating its teething troubles, which are those of all newly independent African states, to its historical background. In an impressive historical analysis the author takes as his starting point German Chancellor Bismarck's 1884 Conference when Africa was arbitrarily divided into spheres of European influence and ends with the outbreak of fighting after Independence Day, 1960. The writer castigates the UN failure to support the legitimate Congo government in the early stages, thus indirectly aiding Tshombe's secessionist Katanga, and he holds Big Power pressures responsible for first Prime Minister Lumumba's death. Indignation occasionally overturns the author's balanced judgment in an otherwise brave and scholarly attempt at an objective analysis of the continuing Congo crisis. Perhaps Mr. Okumu's projected second volume will include fuller treatment of the concept of Pan Africanism, black Africa's declared policy of ""positive neutralism"" and the perils of neo-colonialism.

Pub Date: April 19, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: bolensky

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION