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France 24
France 24
Politics

DR Congo: Sixty years on, assassination of Patrice Lumumba remains unpunished

Belgian authorities recently promised to return a tooth of the late Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, a move welcomed by his family. © FRANCE 24

Sixty years ago, Patrice Emery Lumumba, the first Congolese prime minister, was assassinated. His killing by Congolese and Belgian officers sparked global outrage, instantly turning Lumumba into a national hero and a symbol of the dashed hopes of post-independence Africa. The exact circumstances of his death have remained unclear to this day. Belgium has admitted its "moral responsibility" in the killing, but stopped short of naming those responsible. Lumumba's family and a handful of investigators continue to fight for the truth.

Our correspondents in Belgium and DR Congo take a look back at this dark chapter in Belgian and Congolese history and the ongoing investigation, which now appears to be at a standstill. Clément Bonnerot, Juliette Dubois and Alix Le Bourdon report.

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