Office of the Historian

212. Memorandum From Ulric Haynes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow)1

Washington, June 8, 1966.

SUBJECT

  • Check List of African Problems
1.
President Senghor of Senegal’s State Visit in early July.
a)
US Ambassador to Senegal, Mercer Cook, has resigned in disgust over US aid policies toward Senegal; he may pose a problem during the State Visit;
b)
Senegal’s use of US aid has not been very effective;
c)
Senghor (who has a French wife and a chateau in Normandy) is much more of a Frenchman than an African; he is very sophisticated and also sensitive to slights of protocol.
2.
The unresolved Rhodesian independence crisis could provoke all sorts of unreasonable responses in Black Africa (e.g., withdrawals from the Commonwealth, breaking of diplomatic relations with HMG) if it is not resolved soon to the satisfaction of Africans. Meanwhile, the critical position of Zambia in this political drama is important to watch.
3.
Continuing Problems:
a)
Nigeria—The US has its largest AID investment in this country which is plagued by a combination of problems such as an inefficient and unpopular military government, tribalism, unemployment, inflation, etc.
b)
Uganda—Prime Minister Obote is ruthlessly consolidating his totalitarian administration. Internal dissension is probable for some time to come.
c)
Congo (L)—The Congo’s problems have never been licked because of the pitiful lack of human resources.2 General Mobutu is the latest in a series of disastrous Congolese leaders. His heavy-handed rule has made him very unpopular with both Congolese and Belgians (especially Belgian commercial interests); his days are numbered.
d)
Ghana—The post-coup economic rehabilitation of Ghana is a major preoccupation. The prospects for success are very good thanks to the high calibre of those who succeeded N’Krumah, backed up by a first-rate civil service to provide continuity and expertise.
4.
The Steady Nuisances:
a)
Guinea—Haven for N’Krumah and persistent exponent of radicalism in Africa, Guinea is threatened from within by a serious lack of economic development and from without by coup plots supported by her more moderate neighbors. US aid to Guinea is under constant attack by the moderates of francophone Africa.
b)
Mali—For more than a year Mali has been wavering between the Free World and Communist Bloc camps. The Chicoms are present in great numbers and the Soviets are running a close second. Mali’s economy is a mess and may provide the necessary push to re-enter the moderate francophone African world which is shored up by France.
c)
Tanzania—Under the mercurial and fiercely independent leadership of Nyerere, Tanzania is the bastion of radicalism in East Africa. Soviet and Chicom influence is considerable, especially in Zanzibar.
d)
Congo (B)—Soviets, Chicoms and Cubans are the major foreign influence in Congo (B).3 The US has withdrawn its Embassy staff after constant harassment of US officials and nationals. There are some signs of an internal power struggle. However, none of the elements in this struggle is likely to produce anything to please us.
e)
Burundi—This “perpetual itch” is important as it offers one of the surest jumping off points for Chicom penetration of Africa. The US Ambassador has been recalled and an Embassy official PNG-ed. Our relations are poor.
5.
On the Horizon:
a)
South West Africa—This sleeper has been with us for so long that there is a tendency to ignore it. However, the decision of the International Court of Justice in the case involving South Africa’s mandate over South West Africa is due at any moment. It will be a very big issue at the UN and one in which it will be to the US advantage to assume a role of leadership.
b)
Apartheid in South Africa—Progress in Civil Rights in the US contrasted with retrenchment in race relations in South Africa imposes a heavy burden on the USG when apartheid is discussed at the UN. Senator Kennedy’s current visit to South Africa offers a unique, if difficult, opportunity for the USG to encourage the development of liberal sentiment in South Africa.
c)
The Last Wave of Independence in Africa will occur with independence in late 1966 and early 1967 for each of the High Commission Territories (Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland) and the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius. All come into the family of nations with problems of [Page 330] viability. However, Basutoland’s problems are the greatest as the territory is an enclave completely surrounded by South Africa.
Rick
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Name File, Haynes Memos. Confidential.↩
  2. Congo (L) refers to the Republic of the Congo (formerly the Belgian Congo) with its capital at Leopoldville.↩
  3. Congo (B) refers to the People’s Republic of the Congo (formerly the French Congo) with its capital at Brazzaville.↩