‘Africa Will Write Its Own History.’ Who Was Patrice Lumumba?

A Belgian court has ordered a retired diplomat to stand trial for his role in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader who played a key role in the country's struggle for freedom from colonial rule. Born on July 2, 1925, he became prime minister in June 1960 and was known for his advocacy of African unity and self-determination. On January 17, 1961, Lumumba was arrested by Belgian-backed forces and subsequently assassinated. The trial is a significant development in the case, which has been marked by allegations of Belgian complicity in Lumumba's murder. The court's decision brings attention to Lumumba's life and legacy as a champion of African independence.