The Press TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1962. Federal Elections In Central Africa

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29800, 17 April 1962, Page 14

The Press TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1962. Federal Elections In Central Africa

Already the immediate result of the General Election to be held in the Central African Federation on April 27 appears plain. Sir Roy Welensky’s United Federal Party seems assured of a substantial majority tn the Legislature, not because its hold upon popular support is any more secure, but because in most electorates its candidates will be unopposed. Sir Roy Welensky’s objective in calling for elections was to obtain endorsement for defence of the Federation in its existing form against constitutional changes brought about by British “conces- “ sions ” to what the Federal Prime Minister regards as African “ extrem- “ ism ” —in other words, black African opinion. The farce of April 27 is likely, however, to hasten the dissolution of the existing Federation, and to delay its replacement with a more enduring system. Sir Roy Welensky’s latest differences with the British Government originated in his dismay at constitutional plans for Northern Rhodesia—where much of the Federation’s economic wealth is found—that would almost certainly give the African population ascendancy over Europeans in the territorial government. His championing of racial discrimination represents probably the critical blow to multi-racial federalism in a region where Southern Rhodesia itself has afforded, to the Africans of the north, a bitter argument against federal ties. Sir Roy Welensky had no need to seek a fresh mandate for the maintenance of white supremacy. The electoral rolls to be used this month have long been outdated by constitutional developments in the three constituent territories of the Federation. The Federation has a

population of 8,630,000, of whom 8,290,000 are black Africans. About 104,000 out of a total white population of 304.000 will be entitled to vote this month; in addition, 11,000 Africans may vote, but are unlikely to do so. Nyasaland, with an African population of three million, has 36 eligible African voters. Thus, Sir Roy W’elensky’s claim to support among “moderate” Africans can scarcely be tested.

Among those whose anxieties have been greatly accentuated by Sir Roy Welensky’s militancy is the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia (Sir Edgar Whitehead). The elections could result in Sir Roy Welensky himself leading one wing of the U.F.P. against the other and more liberal wing, led by Sir Edgar Whitehead. The opposition boycott of the elections is much more complete than expected. As April 27 approaches, the absurdity of describing as a general election what will really be a plebiscite of the white electors becomes increasingly apparent. On economic grounds Sir Roy Welensky may be justified in his chosen campaign to preserve the Federation; but even the military force to the use of which he has already committed himself would be unlikely to prevail against the powerful stirrings of African nationalism in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. By its appointment of a senior Minister, Mr Butler, to negotiate a basis for new progress, the United Kingdom Government has begun a last-ditch attack on what may be its most intractable colonial problem. Sir Roy Welensky’s stand can only complicate a dangerous situation, both for the Commonwealth and for Europeans in Central Africa.