Lumumba

What exactly happened? After more than 75 years under Belgian rule, Congo gained its independence in 1960 following a long and difficult struggle. The hope for a new beginning under Prime Minister Lumumba was immense. He proclaimed the end of plundering, torture, and humiliation, and paid tribute to his brothers of the race as the victorious freedom fighters of the day. The glory days of the DRC seemed ready to begin. That chance was taken away. On January 17, 1961, Patrice Lumumba democratically elected Prime Minister and symbol of independence was assassinated. Though uncertainties remain, historians point to the involvement of Belgium and the United States in this political killing. The objective? To install a regime that would safeguard their economic and geopolitical interests, with Mobutu as their pawn. As a symbol of this gruesome act, Belgian actors are said to have taken some of Lumumba’s teeth and fingers as trophies. This act left deep scars in the collective memory of the DRC and serves as a grim illustration of the power dynamics of the time. Today, this event remains not only a source of grief, but also of shame and responsibility. It challenges citizens, policymakers, and organizations in Belgium to confront the legacy of colonial inequality and to reflect on how to address and repair it.

There is no guarantee that Lumumba would have been the ideal leader—after all, the future is always unpredictable. But there was a chance. The years following his death were marked by a series of political leaders who, despite long terms in office, were each overthrown violently. Only the current president, Tshisekedi, has taken power peacefully from his predecessor. Yet even here, doubts persist about the fairness of the process. Belgium holds significant responsibility for the current political situation in the DRC. The return of Lumumba’s tooth in 2022 and the apologies by Prime Minister De Croo were important symbolic gestures but they only scratch the surface of a deeply rooted problem. So, what can actually be done? Countless organizations, including many Belgian ones, are trying to support the Congolese people. They join the fight against poverty, war, and injustice—often with sincere intentions. Yet a persistent inequality underlies these relationships: rich versus poor, helper versus the one in need. It raises the question whether history is repeating itself and whether dependency is once again taking hold. For instance, NGOs that provide food and medicine without investing in the development of local agriculture or a sustainable healthcare system once the “aid” stops, communities are left without resources. Or technical training programs organized in the DRC without the involvement of Congolese experts—this elevates Belgian expertise above Congolese knowledge, completely undermining local capacity and skills. Has Lumumba’s struggle for independence simply shifted into a new form of dependency and dominance?

That brings us to the future. How can Belgium repair what it has broken? Or should Belgium even have a presence in the DRC at all? A question that occupies me daily—not only as a sociologist and staff member of CONGODORPEN (an NGO), but also across the broader sector.

On the one hand, I criticize the paternalistic idea that a country like Belgium would know what is best for a society on the other side of the world one with different values, beliefs, traditions, and history. On the other hand, we live in an increasingly interconnected world, with an urgent need for solidarity.

Fear of repeating past mistakes should not rob humanity of its capacity for doing good. So, is there a middle ground in this complex and layered debate? The world is not black and white, and the line between right and wrong is incredibly thin. The optimistic part of me believes that a middle ground does exist. If we bring together people with good intentions, the right skills, and a shared vision, we can build a story of international solidarity one that enhances human dignity for all. Of course, this must come with crucial conditions such as rules around ownership, privacy protection, and a focus on sustainability and long-term impact.

I, personally, want to be part of that story. CONGODORPEN gave me that opportunity. In 2022, we published a powerful comic book about the life of Patrice Lumumba, written by Asimba Bathy, a Congolese cartoonist, author, and journalist.

In my view, building and sharing knowledge about the true history between Congo and Belgium is a first, crucial step toward decolonization and rethinking the role of Belgian NGOs. While this story may not reflect the entire truth, it brings us closer to reality. Based on that, let us reflect on the future of Belgians, while also giving Congolese people the space to write their own future with their own pen.

In this way, we honor Lumumba’s final words, written in a letter to his wife: “Neither brutality, nor mistreatment, nor torture have ever led me to beg for mercy, for I prefer to die with my head held high, with unwavering faith and deep trust in the destiny of my country, rather than to live in subjugation and contempt for sacred principles. History will have its say one day, but it will not be the history taught in Brussels, Washington, Paris or at the United Nations. It will be the history taught in the countries that have freed themselves from colonialism and its puppets. Africa will write its own history, and it will be a history of glory and dignity both north and south of the Sahara. Do not weep for me, my dearest. I know that my country, which suffers so deeply, will be able to defend its independence and its freedom.”

January 17 – not only a day of mourning, but also a day of inspiration. It reminds us that we, both individually and collectively, have a responsibility to do better and to build a fair, sustainable future. At CONGODORPEN, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. This article is not an end point, but an invitation to grow together. Do you have comments or additions to this article? Get in touch with us via marthe.vantyghem@congodorpen.org. Together, we can achieve more! Together, we can rethink and rewrite the future — guided by dignity, equality, and solidarity.

17 januari – niet enkel een dag van rouw maar ook een dag van inspiratie. Het herinnert ons eraan dat wij, zowel individueel als collectief, de verantwoordelijkheid hebben om het beter te doen en een eerlijke, duurzame toekomst op te bouwen.

Bij CONGODORPEN staan we open voor uw reflecties en ideeën. Dit artikel is geen eindpunt, maar een uitnodiging om samen verder te groeien. Heeft u opmerkingen of aanvullingen op dit artikel? Neem contact met ons op via marthe.vantyghem@congodorpen.org. Samen kunnen we meer! Samen kunnen we de toekomst herdenken en herschrijven – met waardigheid, gelijkheid en solidariteit als leidraad.