The circumstances of brutality and betrayal surrounding Patrice Lumumba’s murder are truly chilling. I am not suggesting that there is a more acceptable process of murder. But what they did in 1961 in the Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo) was scary. Six decades later I believe that humanity was ruthlessly deprived of an opportunity to earn true leadership that had all the elements of commitment, forthrightness and unrehearsed bias to the majority.
When I readabout conditions that he was kept under in the last 34 days of his life I am always left shivering. Not that I existed at the time but I struggle to imagine human beings (compatriots) taking another living soul across such subhuman treatment and the pain that they made him go through is just mind boggling.
If I was a scriptwriter to a movie I’d have struggled to come up with a story as heartbreaking as that one.
AT THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE
Not only was he at the prime of his personal life, he was also the first Prime Minister of Congo (DRC). This was the second highest ranking position in the newly assembled national government. The people of Congo (DRC) had managed to fight their way out of the visible hands of their coloniser Belgium.
Born on 02 Jully1925, Lumumba was a charismatic leader who played a pivotal role in the Congo’s (DRC’s) struggle for independence from Belgian colonial rule. His determination and vision for a free and united Congo (DRC) earned him widespread support and he became a painful thorn on the side of Western powers seeking to maintain control over the country’s rich resources.
BETRAYAL DEFINED
Language poorly represents the meaning of words like betrayal. What Lumumba went through was the worst definition of the word betrayal. He was shortchanged by an individual that he least expected such treatment from and a number of compatroots.
Joseph Mobutu, before the arrival of independence on Congo (DRC) was a journalist and he took some strategic maneuvering and calculated risks that would have made him seem worthy of trust. He was writing for various newspapers and publications in the Belgian Congo and his career started in the 1950s, a time of great change and upheaval in the Congo (DRC). As a young writer, he covered news and events in the country, developing his communication skills and building a network of contacts that would serve him well intohis future endeavours.
Among others, he worked for Actualités Africaines, a Belgian-owned publication that helped him gain valuable experience and insight into the world of politics. His writing and communication skills allowed him to effectively shape public opinion. As he rose through the ranks of the Congolese (DRC) politics, Mobutu was able to manipulate the media and control the narrative.
In the late 1950s, as the Congo hurtled towards independence, Mobutu and Patrice Lumumba emerged as key players: Patrice Lumumba, the charismatic leader of the Mouvement National Congolais, and Mobutu the young and ambitious journalist and soldier. Their relationship would shape the course of Congolese history, but ultimately, it would be marked by betrayal and tragedy.
Mobutu’s path crossed with Lumumba’s as he covered the latter’s speeches and activities as a journalist. Drawn to Lumumba’s vision for a united Congo (DRC) Mobutu joined the MNC and quickly became one of Lumumba’s closest associates. Lumumba, recognising Mobutu’s potential, appointed him as his personal secretary. As Lumumba’s influence grew, so did Mobutu’s position within the MNC. Lumumba entrusted Mobutu with important tasks, including representing him at key meetings and conferences. After independence, Lumumba appointed Mobutu as Secretary of State for National Defense, a strategic move that would later prove crucial in the power struggle that was to follow.
Tensions arose between Lumumba as Prime Minister snd the country’s President Joseph Kasavubu, Mobutu’s allegiance began to shift. He eventually sided with Kasavubu and the West, leading to Lumumba’s downfall. The complex web of alliances and rivalries that defined the Congo’s early years of independence would ultimately claim Lumumba as a victim. The story of Lumumba and Mobutu serves ia cautionary tale of the dangers of ambition and the corrupting influence of power.
THE TUMULT WITH KASAVUBU
The tumultuous relationship between President Joseph Kasavubu and Patrice Lumumba as Prime Minister was a defining factor in the Congo’s early years of independence. Their differences in ideology, personality and ambition ultimately led to a power struggle that would change the course of Congolese history. At the heart of the rift between Kasavubu and Lumumba lay fundamentally different visions for Congo’s future. Lumumba advocated for a strong central government, believing it was the key to rapid development and unity. In contrast, Kasavubu believed in the more conservative and regionalist approach, supporting a decentralised system and giving more powere to provinces. This philosophical divide proved insurmountable. For the west, a more decentralised Congo (DRC) was a magic tonic to their ambitions to exploit the various economic capacities of provinces.
Congo’s constitution had been inherited from Belgium and was ambiguous on the roles and powers of the President and Prime Minister. This constitutional ambiguity fueled the power struggle between the two leaders, each determined to assert his authority. The Cold War context played a significant role in the Congo crisis. Western powers saw Lumumba’s left-wing views as a threat and supported Kasavubu and later Mobutu. The rift between Kasavubu and Lumumba had far-reaching consequences for country. The power struggle between the two leaders weakened national government, creating an environment in which external powers could exert significant influence.
On 14 September 1960, President Joseph Kasavubu dismissed Patrice Lumumba as Prime Minister. Lumumba’s dismissal sparked a constitutional crisis, with both sides claiming legitimacy. The move ultimately led to further instability. Lumumba refused to accept his ousting and a constitutional crisis gripped the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lumumba attempted to regain power, but President Kasavubu had already appointed Joseph Ileo as a new prime minister.
ARREST
The stage was set for a showdown between the two leaders, with Lumumba’s fate hanging precariously in the balance. Lumumba was first placed under house arrest.
On 01 December1960, Lumumba’s situation took a dire turn. He was arrested by the Congolese army, marking a dramatic escalation of the power struggle. The arrest was a clear signal that Lumumba’s opponents would stop at nothing to eliminate him from the political scene.
TO OPANGO LUMUMBA
The arrest by the military led to Lumumba secretly writing one of the saddest letters by an African politician to his wife. He predicted his oncoming death and asked his better half Opango Lumumba to stay resolved in providing strength, wisdom and clarity to the young Lumumba children.
In some of the excepts from the letter be said, “I know that suffering, torture and privation will be inflicted on you and our children. I know that our cruel enemies will endeavour to break us by our misfortunes, but I want you, with your courage and your heart, to know how to resist them. Care for our children, teach them how to love our country. I know that during my absence you will defend our children’s rights and they will be proud to say ‘I am the son or daughter of a martyr’. The day will come when history will speak. But it will not be history which will be taught in Brussels, Paris, Washington or the United Nations.”
He, further, said, “Do not weep for me. I know that my tormented country will be able to defend its freedom and its independence. To my sons, who I am leaving and perhaps will not see again, I want to say the future of Congo is splendid and that I expect from them, as from every Congolese, the fulfilment of the sacred task of restoring our sovereignty. Without dignity, there is no freedom. Without justice, there is no dignity. Without independence there are no free men.”.
The letter expressed his love for his wife, his children and the people of Congo. His words conveyed a sense of foreboding and sacrifice as he prepares his family for the hardships that they were likely to face going forward. The letter is a testament to his courage and vision that a free and independent Congo will one day be achieved.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD
He also wrote to the people of the world through the United Nations. From Thysville Prison he wrote to A. Dayal, the representative of the United Nations Secretary General.
He said, “the Conditions that we are living under are inhuman”. He further said, “We have been locked up in damp cells and at no time were we permitted to leave them. For the past three or four days, I ate nothing but one banana. I hope the United Nations will help us out of this situation. The clothes that I wear have not been washed for the past 34 days. The military officers guarding us told me that what they were doing was an instruction from President Kasavubu and Colonel Mobutu. I am writing this information secretly on bad paper”
ASSASSINATION
Lumumba was transferred to Katanga, a secessionist province led by a political leader by the name of Moise Tshombe. Tshombe was known to be a staunch supporter of a decentralised government and had made attempts to secede the province from national government.
On 17 January 1961 Lumumba was brutally beaten and executed in the presence of Belgian officers and government officials. The circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in controversy, fueling ongoing debates about the role of external powers in his demise.
One peculiar detail has come to symbolise the gruesome nature of his demise. It has been claimed that some of his teeth were kept as souvenirs by Gerard Soete, a Belgian police officer involved in the disposal of his body. According to Soete’s own account, he and others were tasked by police commissioner Frans Verscheure with dismembering his body, using a hacksaw and disposing of it after his execution in January 1961. The body was, reportedly, dissolved in sulphuric Acid.
LUMUMBA’S TOOTH
The story of Lumumba’s teeth serves as a haunting reminder of the violence and trauma that has marked the Democratic Republic of Congo’s history. It also raises questions about the actions of those involved in Lumumba’s death and the legacy of colonialism and external interference in the country’s affairs. Soete also showed German television what he claimed was a bullet that went through Lumumba’s body.
The fate of Lumumba’s teeth remains a topic of debate, but their symbolism is clear – painful reminder of the country’s turbulent past and the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability. As the DRC continues to navigate its complex history, the story of Lumumba’s teeth serves as a poignant reminder of the need for healing and reconciliation.
The Belgian government, in 2002, formally admitted to “moral responsibility” for Lumumba’s death, acknowledging their role in the events leading up to his assassination.
Despite his tragic end, Lumumba’s legacy continues to inspire people around the world. His determination to fight for justice and equality has made him a martyr for the fight for freedom in Africa and his name is invoked in music, film, art and activism. As Congolese researcher Tumsifu Akram notes, “Lumumba’s legacy is not just about his death, but about the ideals he stood for – freedom, dignity, and self-determination”. As Lumumba himself once said, “We shall show the world what the Black man can do when working in liberty and we shall make the Congo the pride of Africa”.
A TOOTH THAT TROUBLED CONSCIENCES
Soete’s involvement in Lumumba’s assassinations weighed heavily on his conscience. In a 1978 novel and in later interviews, he recounted the details of the disposal, expressing remorse for his actions. Soete’s testimony has provided valuable insight into the events surrounding Lumumba’s death, shedding light on the extent of Belgian involvement in the assassination.
Soete’s daughter, Godelieve Soete, has spoken publicly about her father’s role in Lumumba’s assassination, highlighting the personal consequences of his actions.
In 2022, 61 years later, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth was returned to his family in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tooth is considered one of the last remnants of the country’s revered first prime minister and a powerful symbol of Lumumba’s enduring legacy as an African hero and critic of colonialism.
A LEGACY LIVES ON
Despite the challenges, Lumumba’s legacy continues to inspire and motivate people around the world. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving historical artifacts and honoring the legacy of national heroes. The tooth, in particular, holds significant cultural and historical value and its return to the Congo is a testament to the power of heritage and identity.
As the DRC continues to navigate its complex history and identity, Lumumba’s tooth remains a powerful symbol of the country’s struggle for freedom.