On August 21, 1951 the Conference on African Defense opened in Nairobi, Kenya with representatives of the Union of South Africa, Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Southern Rhodesia and the United Kingdom present at the meeting. A team of United States observers also attended. Egypt had refused the invitation because of the dispute over troops in the Suez Canal zone. The purpose of the conference was to ensure in the event of war an even flow of war materials and troops within Africa. The conference would not be concerned with strategic planning.