"Patrice Lumumba: The Enduring Legacy of Congo's Fallen Hero"

Sixty-four years after his assassination, the legacy of Congo’s first prime minister Patrice Lumumba continues to resonate across the African continent.

Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo – On the morning of June 30, 1960, 34-year-old Patrice Lumumba stood before a crowd at the Palace of the Nation in Leopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa), filled with hope for the future of his newly independent country. As the first prime minister of the Republic of the Congo, Lumumba delivered a stirring speech that would echo through history.

Before dignitaries, including Belgium’s King Baudouin, he declared, “No Congolese worthy of the name will ever forget that our independence was won through struggle.” His words, sharply criticizing Belgium’s brutal colonial rule, were a stark reminder of the painful history his people had endured.

“We remember the blows we suffered every day because of the color of our skin,” he said, sending a shockwave through the audience, including the Belgian king. “With independence, the Congo’s future is now in the hands of the Congolese. We will show the world the pride of Africa.”

But the promise of this new dawn was tragically short-lived. Six months later, Lumumba was dead, assassinated on January 17, 1961, at the age of 35. For years, the circumstances surrounding his death were clouded in secrecy. It is now known that his murder was orchestrated with the involvement of Belgian authorities and the tacit approval of the United States.

Sixty-four years on, Lumumba’s name is synonymous with resistance, his vision of a free, prosperous Congo remaining an unfulfilled dream that still weighs heavily on the hearts of many Congolese.

"His Death Distressed Me"

Kasereka Lukombola, an 85-year-old man living in Goma, vividly recalls the shock he felt upon hearing of Lumumba’s death. Born during World War II, Lukombola was 20 years old at the time of Lumumba’s assassination. He had grown up in a time when defying colonial rule was dangerous, and the mere thought of resisting was met with severe punishment.

“I was in my village in Bingi when I heard the news,” Lukombola remembers. “It distressed me deeply. I couldn’t eat, I had insomnia. It was as if a part of me had died.”

Lukombola believes that Lumumba's death was a direct result of his opposition to Belgian colonialism. "The Belgians didn’t want to let go of the Congo,” he said. “Lumumba’s calls for unity and independence were a threat to their continued exploitation."

In Lukombola’s view, had Lumumba lived, he would have transformed the Congo into a thriving, prosperous nation. “He had a vision that would have made us proud,” he added.

Tumsifu Akram, a researcher based in Goma, shares this sentiment. He believes Lumumba’s death was the result of a calculated effort by Western powers to retain control over Congo’s rich natural resources. “His elimination was decided at the highest levels in the United States and among European officials,” Akram stated.

The Assassination of a Visionary

Days after delivering his landmark speech, Congo descended into political chaos. A mutiny within the military and the secession of Katanga, a resource-rich province, destabilized the country. Belgium deployed troops to Katanga, and Lumumba, seeking international assistance, turned to the Soviet Union. This shift in alliances alarmed both Belgium and the U.S., who saw him as a growing threat during the Cold War.

In September 1960, Lumumba was dismissed from office by President Joseph Kasavubu. However, Lumumba refused to step down, leading to his arrest by Colonel Joseph Mobutu (later Mobutu Sese Seko). Mobutu's military coup, backed by Western powers, marked the end of Lumumba's premiership.

In December 1960, Lumumba was captured and transported to Katanga, where he was tortured and executed on January 17, 1961. His body was disposed of in a shallow grave, later exhumed and dissolved in acid. Only a single tooth of Lumumba's remained, which was stolen by a Belgian policeman and only returned to his family in 2022.

Belgium has since acknowledged its "moral responsibility" for the events leading to Lumumba’s death, and documents have revealed that the CIA also played a role in the plot against him.

The Controversial Legacy

For some, Lumumba’s legacy remains a source of pride, while others view his actions with more skepticism. Grace Bahati, a 45-year-old father of five, argues that Lumumba’s push for immediate independence left the country ill-prepared to govern itself.

“Lumumba rushed the independence process,” Bahati said. “The country was not ready, and many of our leaders were not prepared to lead.”

But historian Dany Kayeye counters that Lumumba saw independence as the only path forward, given the 80 years of exploitation by Belgian colonizers. “The country needed freedom, and Lumumba understood that,” Kayeye said.

The turning point in Lumumba’s political trajectory came when he sought Soviet support, which led to his growing alienation from the West. His death, according to Kayeye, was orchestrated by both Belgium and the U.S. in a bid to maintain control over Congo’s mineral wealth.

A Nephew's Tribute

Jean Jacques Lumumba, Patrice Lumumba’s nephew and a vocal anti-corruption activist, believes his uncle's fight for justice continues to inspire people around the world. "He fought for fairness and against corruption, values that still resonate today," he said.

Though Jean Jacques never met his uncle, he is committed to preserving his legacy and continuing the battle for a prosperous Africa. "Lumumba’s fight was not just for Congo, but for the dignity and freedom of all people," he explained.

Lumumba’s ‘Eternal’ Legacy

Despite Congo’s ongoing struggles with armed rebellions, corruption, and resource exploitation, Lumumba’s legacy is far from forgotten. Daniel Makasi, a resident of Goma, believes that the “colonialism” Lumumba fought against persists in the form of economic exploitation by multinational companies.

“We are still being colonized in a way,” Makasi said, emphasizing that the country’s vast resources are still not benefiting ordinary Congolese citizens. “We need to channel Lumumba’s spirit to stop this neo-colonialism.”

For Moise Komayombi, another Goma resident, Lumumba remains a symbol of resistance. “His words on Independence Day in 1960 were a call to protect our land and people,” he said. “His work is far from finished, and we must continue the fight he started.”

As the years pass, Lumumba’s legacy endures. His name, synonymous with the struggle for justice, freedom, and dignity, serves as an eternal inspiration for the Congolese people and all Africans who aspire to a brighter, independent future.