8/14/2019 1962-08-03 Time Mag the NEW, Independent AFRICA a Long Way From Modern Civilization

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THE NEW, INDEPENDENT AFRICA: A Long Way from Modern Civilization

Friday, Aug. 03, 1962

(extracts - Rwanda and Burundi part only)

SINCE 1956, more than 100 million Africans have won their independence. In the U.N. Assembly,they carry considerable weight. Their attitudes are considered part of "world opinion," theirallegiance is eagerly sought by East and West, and their new nationhood is widely celebrated asprogress. Yet by any measurement, material or spiritual, most of the new Africa still is a long,heartbreaking distance away from modern civilization.

In Nyasaland last week, some of the world's leading economists discussed African economic andsocial problems. Among the greatest obstacles, they agreed, are abysmal shortages of capitaland human skills. Though most countries are friendly to the West, their determination to be rid ofcolonial or "neocolonial" influence increases their difficulties. Moreover, most are not "nations,"but uneasy groupings of diverse peoples, with little understanding of democracyhence the needfelt for strong, one-party governments.

TIME here surveys 24 independent new states and three near-independent territories below theSaharawhere statistics hardly exist. Nonetheless, what data can be gathered illustrate a battlefar bigger than the fight for independence: a battle to establish a minimum of order, education andmaterial wellbeing.

Culture Political Maturity Problems & Prospects

19. CONGO, Leopoldville (Bel.) Pop.: 17,000,000. Size: 905,000 sq. mi. Literacy: 20%. Schoolattendance: 50%. College graduates: 35. Christians: Nominal 47%. In interior, population isalmost totally illiterate; sorcery, ritual killings, tribal warfare persist. Less than 10% are seriousChristians; 504 priests, 121 nongraduate doctors serve one of Africa's biggest populations.

Political parties: 9. Voters: 40%. Black Africa's most headlined country has almost total ignorance

of Western- style government. Only minute proportion of people even aware Congo is nation.Political parties are inexperienced and on strictly tribal lines. Westward-leaning Cyrille Adoula isablest Premier yet, but still insecure in nearly bankrupt country.

Exports: Normally cobalt, copper, diamonds, palm oil, bananas. Per capita income: $90. U.S. aid(1961): $13.1 million. U.N. force defeated Communist efforts to infiltrate Congo, but has failed toend copper-rich Katanga's secession after two years. Even if once-prosperous country isreunited, it will take years to create a nation.

20. RWANDA 21. BURUNDI ( Bel.) Pop.: 3,000,000. Pop.: 2,500,000. Size: 11,000 sq. mi. Size:10,000 sq. mi. Literacy: 25%. School attendance: 30%. College graduates: 60 plus (excludingpriests). Christians: over 50%. Fewer than 2% attend secondary schools. Savage customsprevalent; natives venerate cattle.

Political parties: Rwanda, 4; Burundi, 3. Voters: Rwanda, 75%; Burundi, 52%. Belgians restrainedpolitical awareness before granting independence last July, when territory split into two states.Rwanda's main political issue is bitter conflict between giant Watusi and Bahutu majority, whowere their serfs. Tribalism not acute in Burundi, but people unready for self-rule.

Exports: Coffee. Per capita income: $35-50. U.S. aid: $7,500,000. Both countries are heavilyoverpopulated, heavily dependent on foreign aid. Rwanda looks to neighboring Uganda for tradeoutlet. Rwanda is republic with moderate austerity regime. Burundi is monarchy with moderateregime under merry Mwami (King) Mwambutsa IV.