Patrice Lumumba (born July 2, 1925, in Onalua, Belgian Congo; died January 1961, in Katanga province, Republic of the Congo) was a key African nationalist leader and the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (June–September 1960). Lumumba began his political career as a trade-union organizer and founded the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), Congo’s first nationwide political party, in 1958. That same year, his passionate nationalism gained him recognition at a major Pan-African conference in Accra, Ghana
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In 1960, during independence talks in Belgium, Lumumba was asked to form the new government. However, his rival, Moise Tshombe, declared the secession of Katanga province. When Belgian troops supported the secession, Lumumba appealed to the United Nations and the Soviet Union for assistance. Soon after, President Joseph Kasavubu dismissed Lumumba, who was later assassinated by Tshombe’s supporters. His death caused a political scandal across Africa, where he became a martyr for Pan-Africanism.
Prime Minister Summary
The prime minister is the head of government in countries with a parliamentary or semipresidential system. The role is typically held by the leader of the party or coalition with the majority in the legislature, and they are appointed by the head of state. Originating in 17th-century France, the title developed in Britain, where Robert Walpole is considered the first prime minister. In many countries, the prime minister oversees the government’s legislative agenda and policy decisions. In semipresidential systems, such as in France and Russia, the president holds greater executive power, while the prime minister manages domestic affairs.
Government Summary
Government refers to the political system that administers and regulates a society. It exists at various levels, including local, regional, and national, each with specific responsibilities. Most governments hold executive, legislative, and judicial powers, which may be divided or combined. Different political systems, such as autocracy, democracy, and monarchy, determine how these powers are distributed, and some governments also control religious affairs.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Summary
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly the Republic of Zaire from 1971 to 1997), located in Central Africa, covers an area of 905,405 square miles and has an estimated population of 109 million (2025). Its capital is Kinshasa. The majority of the population speaks Bantu languages, such as Lingala, Swahili, Kongo, and Tshiluba, with French as the official language. The country, rich in natural resources like diamonds, copper, and petroleum, has a tropical climate and is one of the poorest nations in the world.
Historically, the region was home to several kingdoms, including the Luba kingdom and the Kuba federation. European colonization began in the late 19th century under King Leopold II of Belgium, and the country became the Belgian Congo in 1908. After gaining independence in 1960, the country faced political instability, culminating in a 1965 coup led by Gen. Mobutu Sese Seko, who renamed the country Zaire. Mobutu’s regime, marked by corruption and mismanagement, ended in 1997 when Laurent Kabila overthrew him. The country was later renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ongoing instability, fueled by conflicts in neighboring countries and the struggle over the nation’s mineral wealth, led to civil war and international military involvement. In the early 21st century, some stability was restored following the introduction of a transitional constitution in 2003 and the election of a formal government in 2006.