Patrice Lumumba, the son
of a farmer, was born in Katako Kombe in the central Congo
on 2nd July, 1925. After leaving school he worked as a nurse's assistant
and a postal clerk. An active trade unionist he founded the Post Office
Employees Club. He also served as secretary of the Association for
African Government Employees.
In October, 1958, Lumumba
founded the National Congolese Movement (MNC). He became president
of the organization and the following year led a series of demonstrations
and strikes against the Belgian colonial government. Lumumba called
for the Congo to be granted its immediate
independence from Belgium. Lumumba was arrested but after sustained
demonstrations the authorities were forced to release him.
After parliamentary elections
in May 1960 the MNC became the country's strongest party. Lumumba
became the new prime minister and immediately talked about the need
for social and economic changes in the country. His decision to adopt
a non-aligned foreign policy resulted in the CIA
becoming interested in the developments in the Congo.
The country was governed
from Leopoldville (Kinshasa). In Kantanga, a rich mining province,
was very much under the control of Moise
Tshombe. In July 1960, Tshombe, with the support of Belgian troops
and white mercenaries, proclaimed an independent republic. Lumumba
appealed to the United Nations for help and
Dag
Hammarskjold agreed
to send in a peace-keeping force to restore order.
Lumumba was arrested by
Mobutu's soldiers and transferred to Elizabethville, Katanga, where
he was murdered on 17th January, 1961.
The UN
Security Council passed a resolution demanding an inquiry into
the circumstances of his death. This was rejected by Moise
Tshombe but evidence emerged later that the Belgian government
was behind the events in Katanga.
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