Patrice Lumumba, born on July 2, 1925, in Onalua, Congo, was a Congolese politician and independence leader who became the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Belgian Congo) after it gained independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960. He is remembered for his staunch anti-colonial stance and his vision of a united Congo, free from Belgian control. Lumumba’s journey into politics began as a postal clerk and trade unionist. His charisma and leadership skills quickly brought him to prominence, and he became the leader of the Congolese National Movement (Mouvement National Congolais, MNC) in 1958, a party advocating for a centralized and independent Congo.

When Congo achieved independence, Lumumba became the country's first prime minister. His tenure, however, was fraught with challenges. Lumumba’s outspoken opposition to Belgian influence and his appeals for African unity put him at odds with both Western powers and domestic rivals. During his short-lived government, the country faced severe crises, including the secession of the mineral-rich Katanga province under Moïse Tshombe and political unrest. His decision to seek Soviet assistance to quell the unrest alarmed Western nations, particularly the United States and Belgium, amid Cold War tensions.

Lumumba's government was overthrown in a coup led by Colonel Joseph Mobutu (later Mobutu Sese Seko) with support from Belgium and the CIA. Following his ouster, Lumumba was arrested and eventually handed over to his enemies in Katanga. On January 17, 1961, Lumumba was executed by a firing squad in Katanga under circumstances believed to have been orchestrated by Belgian and possibly U.S. authorities.

Lumumba’s assassination shocked the world and made him a martyr for the cause of African independence. He remains a symbol of African unity, resistance to colonialism, and the struggles of post-colonial Africa. His legacy endures as a national hero in the Congo, and his image continues to inspire Pan-African movements globally.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Lumumba