Student Charges Western Nations With 'Mob Rule' Aid in Congo

The West has been supporting "mob rule" in the Congo instead of helping to set up a democratic state through the United Nations, a native of Sagwa, Kenya, now at the University has charged, after sounding the opinion of several African leaders.

Washington A. K. Omuko '62 spent the summer surveying the Congo situation and met both Kasavubu and Lumumba.

Omuko said, "It is the geenral consensus among African leaders" that the U.S. financed Kasavubu's trip to the U.N. when he was recognized as the Congo's representative. It has been further rumored, he added, that the West has been giving aid to Mobutu's army, which recently captured deposed Premier Lumumba.

This interference by the many nations has kept the Congolese from realizing their democracy, Omuko asserted. He pointed out that the West should have worked with the U.N. to send the Conciliations Committee into the Congo. The Committee's purpose is to convene a parliament and elect a recognized Premier.

In an election, Omuko explained, Lumumba will most likely become the Congo's lawful leader if he remains alive. His election is very important, as he has more support from Africans inside and outside the Congo, than "any other leader," Omuko said. Kasavubu, the recognized President, has not complied with the promise to allow the Committee to enter, however. Nor has the West upheld the plan, he added, since Lumumba left the U.N.

Because of Lamumba's wide following, Omuko pointed out, the Congo situation will grow "continually worse" if he is killed. Lumumba is presently being held by Mobutu's army. The West should make sure that the U.N. acts to release him, Omuko said.

In event of Lumumba's death, many of the African states which have sent aid into the Congo may possibly withdraw from the U.N. Command in the Congo, Omuko indicated, stressing the importance of the Premier's safety.