Patrice Lumumba was the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Congo. The CIA and Belgium arranged his assassination in 1961 — just 67 days after independence — because he refused to let Western powers control Congo's vast mineral wealth.
The Story of Patrice Lumumba
Patrice Lumumba was born in 1925 in the Belgian Congo and worked as a postal clerk, journalist, and activist. A gifted orator and passionate Pan-Africanist, he helped found the Mouvement National Congolais and became the leading voice of Congolese independence.
When the Congo gained independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960, Lumumba became the first Prime Minister. In his famous independence speech — delivered in front of Belgian King Baudouin — he broke with the script of gratitude that colonizers expected and spoke plainly about Belgian brutality, forced labor, and colonial exploitation. It shocked Western governments and made him a marked man.
Lumumba moved immediately to assert Congo's sovereignty over its vast mineral resources. He appealed to the United Nations and then the Soviet Union for help when Belgium and Western-backed forces destabilized his government. The CIA and Belgian intelligence classified him as a communist threat and began plotting his removal.
After a coup orchestrated with Western support, Lumumba was captured, tortured, and assassinated on January 17, 1961 — just 67 days after independence. His body was dissolved in acid. He was 35 years old. Today, Lumumba is recognized as one of the greatest martyrs of African independence, and his assassination remains one of the clearest examples of Western imperialism destroying African self-determination.
Color Patrice's Portrait
The Alphabet Book of Generals — Who Resisted White Supremacy and Won features a full-page coloring portrait of Patrice with a color guide and fun fact. Perfect for children ages 4–12 and Black history education.
Get the Book on Amazon →