Patrice Lumumba
Congolese politician and independence leader (1925–1961) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Patrice Émery Lumumba[lower-alpha 5] (/lʊˈmʊmbə/ ⓘ;[3] 2 July 1925 – 17 January 1961), born Isaïe Tasumbu Tawosa,[4] was a Congolese politician and independence leader who served as the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then known as the Republic of the Congo) from June until September 1960, following the May 1960 election. He was the leader of the Congolese National Movement (MNC) from 1958 until his execution in January 1961. Ideologically an African nationalist and pan-Africanist, he played a significant role in the transformation of the Congo from a colony of Belgium into an independent republic.
Patrice Lumumba | |
---|---|
1st Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
In office 24 June – 5 September 1960[lower-alpha 1] | |
President | Joseph Kasa-Vubu |
Deputy | Antoine Gizenga |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Joseph Iléo |
1st Minister of National Defense | |
In office 24 June 1960 – 5 September 1960 | |
Prime Minister | Himself |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Ferdinand Kazadi[lower-alpha 2] |
Personal details | |
Born | Élias Okit'Asombo (1925-07-02)2 July 1925 Katakokombe, Congo-Kasaï, Belgian Congo[lower-alpha 3] |
Died | 17 January 1961(1961-01-17) (aged 35) near Élisabethville, State of Katanga[lower-alpha 4] |
Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
Political party | MNC |
Spouse | |
Children |
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Shortly after Congolese independence in June 1960, a mutiny broke out in the army, marking the beginning of the Congo Crisis. After a coup, Lumumba attempted to escape to Stanleyville to join his supporters who had established a new anti-Mobutu state called the Free Republic of the Congo. Lumumba was captured en route by state authorities under Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, sent to the State of Katanga and, with the help of Belgian partisans, executed by the separatist Katangan authorities of Moïse Tshombe. He was seen as a martyr for the pan-African movement. In 2002, Belgium formally apologised for its role in the execution.