1960 – Patrice Lumumba Forms the First Independent Government of the Congo

On June 14, 1960, weeks before Congo’s formal independence, Patrice Lumumba solidified his role as the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A staunch Pan-Africanist and fiery orator, Lumumba was committed to decolonization without compromise. His vision of a united Congo, free from Belgian interference and neo-colonial control, resonated across Africa and the diaspora. Unfortunately, his radical stance made him a target for Western powers and internal rivals. Within months of assuming power, Lumumba was overthrown and assassinated in a CIA-backed plot. His brief leadership, which began solidly with this June 14 organizational victory, remains a tragic symbol of the post-colonial betrayal of African sovereignty. Lumumba is remembered as a martyr for African unity and resistance against imperial manipulation.