NEW LEADER OF CONGO

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29240, 25 June 1960, Page 13

NEW LEADER OF CONGO

Lumumba’s Grip Not Tight

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LEOPOLDVILLE, June 24. Patrice Lumumba (above) was invested as Prime Minister of the first Congolese Government by a narrow majority in the Chamber of Representatives in Leopoldville early today. Mr Lumumba, aged 34, leader of the National Congolese Movement, obtained 74 votes in the 137-seat assembly. The votes against him were not officially announced.

Mr Lumumba’s narrow majority boded ill for the stability of his Government in the restive Congo. It also indicated that he will have serious difficulty in obtaining the confidence of the Senate, where he is to present his National Union Government later this morning.

The narrow majority caused surprise since Mr Lumumba had obtained pledges of support from most parties and compiled his Government list on a broad basis. He went before the Chamber tall of hopes and confidence, but emerged sober-faced from the ambling discussion He vainly pleaded with the deputies to forget divergencies which have made them put their respective tribes against each other for centuries and to act as representatives of the Congolese nation. The debate proved that most deputies and senators speak in the name of their particular tribe. Many tribes have retained the flames of past hostilities from the days preceding Belgian occupation 80 years ago: and their representatives in the Chamber last night demonstrated that their primary concern was to obtain large privileges for their racial taction

Mr Lumumba had put his hopes on verbal or written promises given to him after hours of discussions with leaders of the Cerea, Konakat, Balubakat. Reco, Unimo and other parties. But the party leaders’ promises proved to be empty words once the debate started, said British United Press.

Mr Lumumba repeatedly claimed that his opponents were nainly interested in getting ministerial posts. He said he hacT been besieged by deputations and individuals, each protesting against the attribution of Cabinet posts to his colleagues.

Things appeared to improve for Mr Lumumba yesterday when Mr Joseph Kasavubu had agreed to let his Abako Party participate in the Government. It was expected that the Government could

muster 129 of the 137 votes in the Lower House.

Mr Kasavubu was given the Ministry of Finance as a reward for his support and two of the other 21 ministerial posts went to members of his party. But today Mr Kasavubu sat in stony silence when he was asked by the Speaker whether he voted yes or no on Mr Lumumba’s investiture. Mr Kasavubu’s attitude encouraged splinter, parties to launch attacks against Mr Lumumba. Their claims ranged from dictatorship and lack of a detailed programme to warnings by ■ tribal chief: “We are the best warriors in the Congo. We will fight rather than accept you as chief.”

Chief Kalonji was the most outspoken adversary. Wearing the ornately embroidered bonnet of a Baluba tribal chief and clutching a tribal club, he accused Mr Lumumba of trying to lead the nation into disaster. Dozens of deputies walked out of the chamber. Deepening Division Belgian officials were greatly worried at the deepening division. Yesterday they narrowly prevented Abako Party sympathisers from forcibly occupying the provincial Government palace. The Abakists withdrew before steel-helmeted guards. Leopoldville province now has three rival Governments. Two other provinces out of six have two to three dissident provincial Governments. Belgian authorities are convinced that there will not be peace unless Mr Lumumba and Mr Kasavubu work out a mutually acceptable plan. They are pinning their hopes on Mr Lumumba agreeing to the election of Mr Kasavubu to the post of President as the only way to avoid civil strife. Belgian troops are* busy strengthening security precautions, enforcing a strict curfew and the state of emergency in most provinces.