 | irishgit (160)
08/20/2008 | No, a faction supporting Mobutu killed him, allegedly witnessed and possibly aided by Belgian officers. No evidence of CIA involvement, although they probably weren't unhappy with the event.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Drummond (60)
08/20/2008 | There were actually Senate investigations about this, but the conclusion was negative.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/doubleissue/mysteries/patrice.htm
Still, the powers that be hated Lumumba with a passion, and they were very active in Zaire at the time and supported Mobutu to the hilt for years afterward. It wouldn't surprise me.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | GenghisTheHun (184)
02/05/2008 | I was graduating from high school at the time of the Congo's independence from Belgium. Patrice Lumumba was the first prime minister. Things started off on the wrong foot at the hand over ceremony, and then things went down hill for Lumumba at lightning speed.
The King of Belgium gave a speech and then Lumumba gave some unscheduled oratory attacking the king who was insulted.
Immediately after independence, the army mutinied and started massacres. The UN sent in troops, various chunks of the Congo seceded, the West and the Soviets got their hands in, factions started a vicious civil war and one faction bumped off Lumumba.
All this happened between June 30, 1960, the hand over, and January 17, 1961, when Lumumba died. It was an incredible time. A year's worth of history was happening in a week in those days, it seems.
Joseph Mobutu, later dictator of the Congo, was the man behind the killing of Lumumba although Belgian officers were present at the execution, it is said.
(4 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
