page 459 - Long Walk Original Manuscript [LWOM_459.jpg]

whole was not properly developed and I noticed no extensive building prospects. Only a few streets were tarred and one met flocks of goats and sheep being driven to the market.

There were no political parties, no popular organs of government nor attempts to separate the powers of government. The Emperor was the legislature, the executive and highest court of appeal and the cabinet consisted of nominated members.

But uppermost in my mind was that this was the country rules by Africans, even if it had no democratic institutions, and every structure I saw round there was the result of African initiative and skill. Above all Ethiopia was not only an inspiration to the rest of Africa; it had gone out of its way to give concrete help to freedom fighters throughout our continent and from the discussions I had had with Julius Nyerere I was confident that in regard to our main mission we would not come back with empty hands. Peter Koinange, general secretary of PAFMECSA, and now Kenyan Minister of met our delegation and appealed for unity and the avoidance of any statement that might cause discord at the conference. He obviously did not want us and the PAC to ventilate our differences at the meeting, was too astute a politician to put the matter so bluntly to us.

The next morning Oliver and I attended the meeting of the Steering Committee of PAFMECSA and each organisation had to apply for affiliation afresh. It soon became clear why Peter Koinange felt obliged to appeal to all delegations for unity. Our application was opposed by a delegate from the Uganda's on the ground that we were a tribal organisation. The temptation was too strong to