Wayne Lumbasi
In a significant step toward historical justice, a Belgian court has reopened the case surrounding the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The move comes more than six decades after Lumumba was executed and his body dissolved in acid, marking a dark chapter in Congo’s post-independence history.
The hearing focused on the only surviving suspect, 93-year-old Etienne Davignon, a former Belgian diplomat who has long denied involvement. Belgian federal prosecutors allege he participated in the unlawful detention, transfer, and degrading treatment of Lumumba prior to his killing. The closed-door proceedings in Brussels reviewed evidence and submissions from all parties, with a decision on whether to proceed to a trial expected within the coming weeks. If approved, the trial could begin in early 2027.
Lumumba’s family has long sought accountability, emphasizing that the case is about truth and historical clarity rather than revenge. “We cannot turn back time, but we are counting on the Belgian justice system to shed light on history,” said YemaLumumba, one of the late leader’s granddaughters, outside the court. The family has also filed civil lawsuits on behalf of several of Lumumba’s grandchildren, underscoring the intergenerational significance of the case.
Lumumba became prime minister at Congo’s independence in 1960, but his tenure was cut short by political turmoil and a conspiracy involving Belgian officials and local mercenaries. His assassination has been widely viewed as one of the most infamous acts of colonial-era interference in African governance. Advocates stress that refusing a trial now would amount to perpetuating impunity for major colonial crimes.
The case has already produced some remarkable findings. In 2022, Belgian authorities returned a single tooth, the only known remaining part of Lumumba’s body, to Congo in a formal ceremony accompanied by official apologies for Belgium’s “moral responsibility” in the assassination. This reopening represents not only a rare legal reckoning but also an acknowledgment of Belgium’s role in a pivotal moment of African history.
The Belgian court’s decision in the coming weeks will determine whether justice, long delayed, may finally be served for one of Africa’s most iconic leaders.
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