On June 30, 1960, King Baudouin I of Belgium declared the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ending over 70 years of colonial rule. The ceremony was marked by a mix of jubilation and tension, particularly following Patrice Lumumba’s unexpected speech criticizing Belgian exploitation and racial injustice. Sixty-six years later, many Congolese feel that true independence remains unfulfilled, citing ongoing violence and instability in the eastern regions of the country.
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