Removal of Patrice Lumumba from Office and Subsequent Handover to Katangan Authorities

Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was executed on January 17, 1961, by Katangan authorities, with the involvement of Belgian-led troops. His removal from office on September 14, 1960, was orchestrated by Colonel Joseph Mobutu, who received support from the United States and Belgium. Lumumba's leadership was marked by his efforts to unite the nation and promote independence from colonial rule, but his tenure was short-lived due to political instability and external interference. In 2001, a Belgian parliamentary investigation concluded that Belgium bore 'moral responsibility' for Lumumba's assassination, leading to an official apology from the Belgian government for its role in this tragic event. Lumumba's legacy continues to resonate in discussions about post-colonial governance and the impact of foreign intervention in African politics.