The Complete Scientist

GUINEA under Sekou Toure, who has been its President since independence in 1958, has one of the most consistent records of opposition to non-African interference in African affairs. In 1958, de Gaulle offered immediate independence through referendum to France's colonies, accompanying this option with the threat that all French economic aid and personnel would be withdrawn from the territories that chose freedom. The only people who chose to rebuff France were the Guineans who were mobilised to vote against continued subservience by the Guinean Democratic Party (PDG) headed by Toure. De Gaulle's petulant threats were carried out. The French left abruptly. The usual European delusions of in- dispensability were voiced, but the Guineans proved that they could manage on their own in spite of the serious handicaps with which France had left them.