How Did Patrice Lumumba Fight For Independence

June 30, 1960 was the official day that the Congolese people gained their independence from the oppressive Belgian leaders. However, the actual agreement for independence was signed in January of 1960. The first public voting was held May 11th through the 25th of 1960. Patrice Lumumba won the election and on June 23rd 1960, he became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Congo. Also Joseph Kasa-Vubu won the election for the President of the Congo. On that Independence Day in 1960, Patrice Lumumba gave an impromptu speech speaking about how the independence was not gained without years of oppression and injustice (Bio.com). The speech he gave was well liked by the public, however, the higher-up officials did not like the tone of the speech and the negative words toward the Belgians.
As the newly founded country had gained its independence, the mineral rich province of Katanga declared its own independence with help from Belgium and mining companies. This rebellion put the country at unrest. The UN troops arrived but refused to help suppress the Katanga rebellion. Patrice Lumumba needed help and he needed help fast to stop his country from falling apart. The UN wouldn’t help him so he called on a country with resources
He was in office for a total of 81 days. The country was torn between the two, however, military leader Mobutu saw this as the perfect opportunity to take power. On September 14, Mobutu organized a coup d’état (BBC). Lumumba was then placed under house arrest by Mobutu’s orders. Lumumba escaped and wasn’t recaptured until December. The Belgian officers were ordered to kill Lumumba and two ministers by firing squad and then dissolve the bodies with sulphuric acid, so the remains couldn’t be found. No statement was released that said their former leader and first democratically elected official was killed until three weeks