Belgium’s Lumumba case raises questions Africa avoids

On January 20, a court in Brussels, Belgium, held a procedural hearing in the case of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the DRC, focusing on whether the case should proceed under Belgian law. Etienne Davignon, a former Belgian diplomat, is central to the proceedings, facing charges related to Lumumba’s detention and treatment before his death. The case reflects Belgium’s acknowledgment of responsibility for Lumumba’s death and underscores the ongoing struggle to address colonial violence through legal means. Lumumba’s legacy and political ideas continue to challenge post-colonial African leaders, with his radical critique often overlooked in favor of symbolic gestures.

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