The trends previously reported have become more marked in the last
year, particularly in West Africa. The African countries are progressively
taking over control of their affairs. Whether in a context of independence or
of very wide internal autonomy, they are assuming responsibility in all
technical and scientific spheres. It is accordingly to them that the Commission now addresses itself in matters concerning its activities.
This development is not without its difficulties and obstacles from a
technical angle. Urgent needs arise which must be met immediately.
Administrative and technical structures are upset and often thoroughly
disrupted. Frequent changes of personnel occur, and the newcomers at times
find difficulty in laying down a long-term policy in regard to technical matters
because of the multifarious day-to-day problems and the lack of experience
on the part of some junior officials. Finally, the nature of the relations
between the countries of Europe and of Africa is changing and these relations
are becoming less closely knit at the technical level.
At the same time, the interest displayed in Mrica by other continents
continues to increase. The international world organisations receive a
succession of urgent, virtually unanimous directives from their members, for
assistance to be given to Africa. Thus the outside technical resources available
to the African countries are becoming more numerous, although awkward
problems at times arise in co-ordinating and integrating them with the
existing resources
