Patrice Lumumba

2 July 1925 – 17 January 1961

Patrice Lumumba was a Congolese politician and independence leader who served as the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A committed Pan-Africanist, he was deposed shortly after independence and assassinated in 1961, becoming a symbol of anti-colonial resistance.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Patrice Lumumba.

Life events

Born in Onalua, Belgian Congo
2 July 1925

Lumumba was born into the Tetela ethnic group in the Kasai region.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Worked as a postal clerk
1954

He held a job as a postal clerk and later became active in trade unions.

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Co-founded the Mouvement National Congolais
October 1958

He helped establish the MNC, a leading nationalist party.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Attended the Brussels Round Table Conference
January 1960

He took part in negotiations that set a date for Congolese independence.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Prime Minister of the Congo
24 June 1960 – 5 September 1960

He became the country's first prime minister upon independence from Belgium.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Dismissed amid the Congo Crisis
5 September 1960

He was dismissed by President Kasa-Vubu during a political and secessionist crisis.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Arrested and detained
1 December 1960

He was captured by forces loyal to Mobutu after fleeing the capital.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Assassinated in Katanga
17 January 1961

He was executed by firing squad in Katanga with the involvement of Belgian and local forces.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓