African Historians Cite Resistance to Colonial Invaders

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo —  About 200 African historians meeting here for the last week have suggested that history books throughout Africa should deal at length with movements resisting the colonial conquest of the last century.

A document issued at the end of an international seminar commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Berlin conference that divided the continent into colonial zones of influence said African history books virtually ignore the resistance movements that sprang up against the foreign invaders.

Delegates to the meeting, organized by the Congolese Culture Ministry, also demanded that thousands of African art works and documents in the hands of former colonial nations be returned.

The participants, from 30 countries, also called for greater freedom of movement between African nations and criticized mass expulsions carried out by some nations during the last few years.