Lumumba Speaks: The Speeches and Writings of Patrice Lumumba, 1958-1961

Patrice Émery Lumumba (born Élias Okit’Asombo; 2 July 1925 – 17 January 1961) was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo, after he helped win its independence from Belgium in June 1960.

Only twelve weeks later, Lumumba’s government was deposed in a coup during the Congo Crisis. The main reason why he was ousted from power was his opposition to Belgian-backed secession of the mineral-rich Katanga province.

He was subsequently imprisoned and executed by firing squad under the command of the secessionist Katangan authorities. The United Nations, which he had asked to come to the Congo, did not intervene to save him.