On this day in 1960, Patrice Lumumba, leader of the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), formed a new government and became the first prime minister of an independent Congo.
After decades of brutal Belgian colonial rule, Congo officially gained independence June 30, 1960, and Lumumba stood as a powerful symbol of African liberation and unity.
His fiery speeches and commitment to a united Congo challenged both Western imperial powers and internal ethnic divisions. However, his tenure was short-lived — within months, he was deposed and ultimately assassinated in 1961 with covert Western support.
Lumumba’s legacy remains deeply influential across Africa and the world as a martyr for anti-colonial resistance and the struggle for self-determination.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.
