TO AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON AFRICA,September 18, 1960



``... The tide which is sweeping Africa today cannot be stayed.
No power on earth is great enough to halt or to reverse the trend.
Its march is as relentless and inexorable as the passage of time....

Today, Africans and friends of Africa everywhere are celebrating
Africa Freedom Day. Observance of this Day testifies to what is
undoubtedly one of the most significant phenomena of this post-war
world the liberation from the bonds which have so long fettered the
millions of Africans to whom, but a short time ago, freedom and
independence vere but distant dreams Within the post-war period,
the number of independent African nations has - more than doubled;
next year, additional states will achieve their independence; and
each year that follows will see ever increasing numbers of Africans
enjoying these most precious of Almighty God's gifts.

The tide which is - sweeping Africa today cannot be stayed. No power
on earth is great enough to halt or reverse the trend. Its march is as
relentless and inexorable as the passage of time. The day is long
overdue for a change of attitude on the part of those nations which
have heretofore sought to hinder or impede this movement or which
have been content in the past to remain passive in the face of the
impassioned cries for freedom, for justice, for the right to stand with
their fellowmen as equals, which have gone up from this Continent.
It is time for them to enlist their sympathetic efforts on behalf of the
struggle of the African peoples to gain the place in the world which is
their God. given birthright. Those who hail or refuse to do so, those
who lack the vision and foresight to realize that Africa is emerging
into a new era, that Africans will no longer be denied the rights which
are inalienably tlicirs, will not alter or reverse the course of history,
but will only suffer the inevitable consequences of their refusal to
accept reality.

What is there to be learned from the events now occurring on the
African Continent? It must be recognized too, that Africa, its people,
its present and its future, are of vital concern to everyone, no matter
how far removed geographically. In the past, America has too often
been content to remain relatively unconcerned about events in Africa,
too ready to stand on the sidelines of African history as a disinterested
observer. This policy will not serve today, and the attitude which the
American people and Government now adopt towards Africa indicates
that they too realize that a new Africa has emerged on the world scene.
As a result, however, Americans have been largely uninformed about us,
our peoples, our problems. Among other peoples, more and more is
gradually coming to be known, but mainly, We would venture, because
the peoples of Africa have forced the rest of the world to pay heed to
them and to harken to the stirrings and reverberations which have
resounded throughout this Continent in the last decade.


Africa and U.S.A.

The American people can make a significant contribution to
guaranteeing that a deep and abiding friendship exists between Africa
and the United States of America. Learn more about us; learn to
understand our backgrounds, our culture and traditions, our strengths
and weaknesses. Learn to appreciate our desires and hopes, our
problems, our fears; If we truly know one another, a solid and firm basis
will exist for the maintenance of the friendly relations between the
African and the American peoples, which - We are convinced - both so
ardently desire. You may be assured that there will be no failure in the
warm and brotherly response from our side.

In the midst of the strife and turmoil which marks Africa today, the
African peoples still extend the hand of friendship. But it is extended to
those who desire the progress and the political and economic freedom
of the African people, who are willing generously and without thought
of selfish gain to assist us to our feet that we may stand by their side
as brothers. We are convinced that there are countless millions of such
to be found throughout the world. We know that those to whom we send
this message, who are today assembled in New York City to join in the
celebration of Africa Freedom Day, are numbered among them. To them,
we send Our warmest greetings and Our prayers that the purpose which today
unites them may be soon realized.
We must thank the American Committee on Africa which has made it
possible for us to send these words to you today. The cause which you
espouse is a noble and just one and, with the help of Almighty God, will
triumph.``