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US Assassination Records Regarding Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba:
In 1884 the US recognized that King Leopold II of Belgium claimed the territories of the Congo Basin. However, come the 1960s, Patrice Lumumba would push back against the occupation and laid plans for an equal and collaborative union with those who wanted to help them achieve a sincere alliance.[1] The Belgians concern about losing the colony grew when they recognized how prominent of a leader Lumumba had become, “we who suffered in our bodies and hearts from the colonialist oppression, we say to you out loud: from now on all that is over.”[2] Lumumba faced another threat against his influence when faced with the US fears of communist takeover in the Congo.

Apprehensive of the influence from the Soviet Union due to the enormous wealth of uranium in Congolese mines, the US and Belgium concluded that infiltration by the Soviet Union opens the ability for them to manufacture nuclear weapons. Thus, it was determined that Lumumba’s progressive reforms paved way for communist takeover as he looked for alliances whenever they were offered. The CIA added him to a list of potential threats, Lumumba became a target for assassination. “This is the result of months of Western policy choices characterized by short sightedness, carelessness, and a fear of the Soviet Union, which, in reality, had little interest in Congo beyond public-relations would the West had inflicted upon itself”[3]

January 17, 1961, Lumumba was assassinated by the Belgian government with the US and Congolese accomplices.[4] Driven to a remote area he was sequestered, and murdered with two members of his political party.[5] The elimination of Lumumba would set into motion the question of who was truly behind the order of attack. Blame passed between the US and Belgian, both determined to prove their innocence in the coup. Despite the US attempts to conceal their intelligence, it was found that even if the CIA was not involved in the actual killing of Lumumba, there is evidence that prior to Lumumba’s death some CIA personnel and others discussed the possibility of undertaking a plan to assassinate Lumumba.[6]

The debate continued and encouraged outside opinions surrounding the supposed list of targeted individuals for assassination around the world. The Congolese people publicly denounced the murder as they believed Lumumba was creating a nation of unity and they were steadfast in defending his ideals.[7] However, the reforms and call for the Congo to remain united ignited fears within European nations and the US that led to drastic measures. We will never know what Lumumba could have accomplished in the Congo, but the unsealed documents from the CIA clearly lay out their involvement in destroying any positive influence he could have had. [1] Patrice Lumumba: the most important assassination of the 20th century | Global development | The Guardian

[2] The Real Story Behind Patrice Lumumba’s Assassination | The New Yorker

[3] The Real Story Behind Patrice Lumumba’s Assassination | The New Yorker

[4] Patrice Lumumba: the most important assassination of the 20th century | Global development | The Guardian

[5] Death in the Congo: Murdering Patrice Lumumba | Penn Arts & Sciences Department of History (upenn.edu)

[6] 1975 - Rockefeller Commission- Invest of CIA plots to Assassinate Foreign Leaders.pdf (gwu.edu)

[7] Patrice Lumumba: the most important assassination of the 20th century | Global development | The Guardian