On June 30, 1960, the Congo celebrated its independence from Belgium. At the official ceremony, Belgium’s King Baudouin praised his country's colonial 'civilising mission.' But the new prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, was not scheduled to speak. He took the podium anyway. In a speech broadcast live on radio, Lumumba challenged the King's rosy narrative. He described the colonial era not as a gift, but as 'humiliating slavery' imposed by force. He spoke of a 'struggle of tears, of fire, and of blood' to win back their freedom and dignity. This defiant speech caused immediate diplomatic friction with Belgium. It declared that the Congo would be truly independent, not just in name.
The Death of Lumumba
The 1961 overthrow and killing of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the independent Congo, and the foreign powers involved.
Chapter 1
The Independence Speech
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the US and Belgium oppose Patrice Lumumba?
Belgium opposed Lumumba for his fierce nationalism, which threatened their continued economic control over the Congo's resources. The US, in a Cold War context, feared his appeal to the Soviet Union for aid would make the Congo a communist satellite state, viewing him as a potential 'African Fidel Castro'.
What was the Katanga secession?
Katanga, the Congo's wealthiest province, declared independence in 1960, less than two weeks after the country's own independence. The secession was led by Moïse Tshombe and supported by Belgian mining interests, like Union Minière, which wanted to maintain control over the region's vast mineral resources.
Did the United Nations fail Lumumba?
The UN deployed a peacekeeping force but adopted a policy of non-interference in internal affairs. This meant they refused to help Lumumba's government end the Katanga secession. Later, UN troops were present when Lumumba was captured by his enemies but were ordered not to intervene to save him.
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