Ostensibly, the aim of the merger, in the terms of the Manifesto of N'Sele, was to transform the role of trade unions from "being merely a force of confrontation" into "an organ of support for government policy", thus providing "a communication link between the working class and the state". Similarly, the JMPR was to act as a major link between the student population and the state. In reality, the government was attempting to bring under its control those sectors where opposition to the regime might be centred. By appointing key labour and youth leaders to the MPR Political Bureau, the regime hoped to harness syndical and student forces to the machinery of the state. Nevertheless, as has been pointed out by numerous observers, there is little evidence that co-optation succeeded in mobilising support for the regime beyond the most superficial level.
Ostensibly the aim of the merger in the terms of the Manifesto of N'Sele was to transform the role of trade unions from "being merely a force of confrontation" into "an organ of support for government policy" thus providing "a communication link between the working class and the state" Similarly the JMPR was to act as a major link between the student population and the state In reality the government was attempting to bring under its control those sectors where opposition to the regime might be centred By appointing key labour and youth leaders to the MPR Political Bureau the regime hoped to harness syndical and student forces to the machinery of the state Nevertheless as has been pointed out by numerous observers there is little evidence that co-optation succeeded in mobilising support for the regime beyond the most superficial level