WHY LUMUMBA WAS A TARGET

Africa’s problems are often twisted to justify prejudices against Africans - for example, that we elect corrupt leaders. On the day the Democratic Republic of the Congo celebrates its independence, it’s a good time to shine a light on the West's reaction to a principled African leader looking to improve the lives of his people.

Patrice Lumumba was the first prime minister of the DRC. He is remembered as a symbol of anti-imperialism and African unity, who played a significant role in the transformation of the Congo from a colony of Belgium into an independent republic.

He remains one of the most enduring national heroes and pan-African icons. Malcom X called him ‘the greatest Black man who ever walked the African continent.’ Lumumba was a leading member of the Congolese independence movement. He entered the history books on 30 June 1960. That was the day that Belgian Congo - as it was then known - broke away from Belgian colonial rule.

In the presence of Belgium's King Baudouin, Lumumba accused the former colonial masters of treachery and forcing 'humiliating slavery' on the Congolese people. The speech caused fear among the Europeans, concerned that anti-White vengeance would be the main theme of Lumumba's administration. Hence, they started plotting to assassinate him. This is why most historians believe Lumumba was a marked man from the moment he made this speech.

Less than 7 months after independence, in January 1961, he was arrested and murdered, with the full knowledge of the CIA and the Belgians. For the Congolese people, the events of 1960-61 represented yet another chapter of a long horror story, as the US-backed Joseph Mobutu, who had once sworn allegiance to Lumumba, would seize power and misrule the country for more than three decades.