Lumumba, Patrice, << luh MUHM buh or luh MOOM buh, pah TREES >> (1925-1961), became the first prime minister of Congo, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He took the post after Congo won independence from Belgium in June 1960.
In Congo’s first general elections, just before independence, no party received an overall majority, and two opposing leaders agreed to share power. Lumumba became prime minister, and Joseph Kasavubu became president.
The country plunged into civil unrest shortly after independence. Katanga Province seceded (withdrew) from the government. Lumumba worked to preserve the country’s unity and its independence from Belgium. On July 10, he appealed to the United Nations (UN) for military and diplomatic support to reestablish order. UN forces entered the country later that month and remained until 1964.
In September 1960, Kasavubu dismissed Lumumba. Lumumba, in turn, dismissed Kasavubu. Joseph D. Mobutu (later called Mobutu Sese Seko), the head of the army, took control of the government. He placed Lumumba under house arrest. Lumumba’s supporters established a rival government to that of Kasavubu in Stanleyville (now Kisangani), and fighting broke out between the two groups. Lumumba escaped but was captured by army forces. His captors later transferred him to Katanga, where he was assassinated on Jan. 17, 1961. Lumumba’s death sparked worldwide demonstrations. The protesters said the West was meddling in Africa’s affairs. They believed that Western countries, especially Belgium and the United States, had sought Lumumba’s removal from power.
Patrice Émery Lumumba was born on July 2, 1925, in Katako-Kombe, in central Congo. In July 1944, he moved to Stanleyville, where he worked as a postal clerk while writing opinion articles for newspapers. In 1957, Lumumba moved to Leopoldville (now Kinshasa), where he became active in politics. In 1958, he founded the Congolese National Movement political party and continued to lead it until his death. He favored a national organization that embraced all ethnic groups rather than a party that focused on ethnic and regional goals.
See also Congo, Democratic Republic of the (History); Kasavubu, Joseph.
