Joy should have reigned last week among members of the African National Congress as the long-outlawed group held its first conference inside South Africa in 30 years. Instead, rancor erupted as the A.N.C.'s veteran leadership clashed with the younger, hard-line rank and file. President Oliver Tambo, back from three decades of exile, suggested the easing of economic sanctions against South Africa in light of recent reforms, but was voted down. Nelson Mandela, criticized for meeting with government officials without consulting the A.N.C. membership, said his opponents "do not understand the nature of negotiations."
The conference ended with a warning that the...