In April -May 19&9 PAIGC forces carried out the following operations:
- Attacks against camps and fortifications:78;
- Ambushes and assaults: 25;
- Military lorries destroyed: 12;
- Boats sunk or damaged: 7;
- Enemies put out of action, excluding the camp casualties: 97
killed, among v/hom 4 officers and 2 sergeants and many wounded.
The political situation shov/s a similar picture. The Portuguese have lost
their political control over most of the population and are confined, in this
respect, to the urban areas plus the influence of a few traditional chiefs
in areas where nationalist activity is not yet very advanced. They spread
extensive political propaganda trying to discredit the nationalist leaders
and split the loyalty of the people. They also try to manipulate the people
with pious words about the "Portuguese Nation" fighting "bandits from outside"
and by giving a few "show-piece" Africans high positions. But these activities
are becoming as futile as their military operations. PAIGC has its own radio
and newspaper "Libertacao" which not only neutralises enemy propaganda, but
also informs the people ..of the party's political activities, on the progress
of the struggle, the party's goals, Portuguese crimes, and information about
African and world events. There are special radio programmes for the Portuguese
soldiers. The policy of utilising traditional puppet leaders is becoming less
and less successful as they become increasingly isolated from the people and
abandoned by them. Similarly with their policy of "window dressing" with
Africans in the administration which recently received a major blow when the
African appointed General Secretary in the Government resigned and was replaced
by a European. In order to organise and raise the political consciousness of
the people, and increase the effectiveness of the village committees, PAIGC
has undertaken an extensive programme of political education through its
"Brigade for Political Work" and its "Conference of the Cadres." There have
already been six conferences of political cadres and party militants, which
discussed all the important problems related to the political life and the
military struggle, and took important decisions about the development of
activities at every level.
In addition to military and political activities, great achievements have bedn
realised in social reconstruction, particularly in the educational field.
Before the war, there were only 45 schools for Africans in the whole country
as compared with 159 schools today? built by the people themselves.
The medical services also take priority here, through the use of curative and
preventive medicine to upbring a new healthy nation of Guineans.
Production is undertaken by raising the productive level and the use of better
agricultural skills, geared to self-sufficiency and support for the war.
Commercial activities'are expanding daily, self-reliance is net merely in
theory but praotioe through concrete deeds of the people. All these activities
bring Guinea-Bissau nearer to independence in their liberation struggle.
-23-