Assassination of Congolese independence leader and revolutionary Patrice Lumumba
The United States and Belgium led counter revolutionary forces carried out the assassination.
Patrice Lumumba pictured in Brussels at the Round Table Conference with other members of the MNC-L delegation, 26 January 1960. Photo: Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Wikimedia Commons
On January 17, 1961, Congolese independence leader, Patrice Lumumba was assassinated by counter-revolutionary forces, backed by the US and Belgium. He was the first Prime Minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Republic of the Congo). He played a significant role in the transformation of the Congo from a colony of Belgium into an independent republic. Ideologically an African nationalist and Pan-Africanist, he led the Congolese National Movement (MNC) party from 1958 until his assassination.
