Congo's Independence
On 30 June 1960 the Belgian Congo became independent with Patrice Lumumba as Prime Minister and Joseph Kasa-Vubu as President, following a rush to independence that gave Belgium's largest colony only months of preparation. Lumumba's independence speech directly attacked Belgian colonialism, alarming Brussels and Washington. Within days the Congolese army mutinied against its Belgian officers; the mineral-rich Katanga province seceded under Moise Tshombe with Belgian backing; Belgian troops intervened. Lumumba appealed to the UN and then, when UN forces proved unwilling to end the Katanga secession, to the Soviet Union — triggering US concern. He was dismissed by Kasa-Vubu, arrested by his own army colonel Joseph Mobutu, and murdered in January 1961 with Belgian complicity and CIA foreknowledge.
- Year: 1960 CE
- Category: Independence
