Panaficanism and Patrice Lumumba

At a forum at Wayne State University in 2010, Joachim Chissano, former President of Mozambique was asked a question about the movement to secure independence from the Portuguese. He was also asked about the ensuing civil war in his country that occurred from the early 70’s until the early 90’s. Chissano surprised many by answering that it was not a civil war, but a “civil disruption”, partially caused by and supported through external forces (e.g. South Africa). These external forces instigated havoc between two major Mozambican parties in their country (FRELIMO and RENAMO). These statements by Chissano would underscore similar challenges faced by then Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and the underlying external and internal interference eventually lead to his 2 month reign and a brutal death. His challenges mirrored many African nations seeking independence from Colonial rule.

In chapter 9, a brief summary of global events, African sentiment towards colonialism and worldwide are described to fully understand the involvement of outside countries such as the U.S., Britain and Belgium (Congolese liberation). These descriptions also help to understand the challenges faced by African leaders, many of which may not have been anticipated. Historically, it was not generally understood by many the opposition that African nations put forth to prevent themselves from being colonized. We are also reminded that many countries did not freely give up their rule in African nations. Events such World War 1 and 2 and the fallout from these events were instrumental in providing the forum for leaders in African countries to leverage the instability of colonial countries to begin their own opposition strategies.

Typically, the face that is portrayed by historical and even in the current media is the ineptitude of African countries to govern themselves. What is not so evident is the interference or lack of that was portrayed in the Lumumba video. In the increasing conflict between Belgium and the Congo, Lumumba looked to the UN and specifically, the United States to help support their internal struggles and with those experienced by excessive sabotage and aggression by the Belgium military. The United States not only did not offer support, but was implicated in a plot to get rid of Lumumba because of his ties to Russia. Although it is reported that the internal conflicts with the Congolese President, the head of the Congolese army led to Lumumba’s death, it has been said that the U.S. did not succeed first with their assassination attempts.

Although Lumumba was assassinated, he is remembered for his efforts to unite the Congo, across ethnic group and political opposition to reach the state of independence for his country. In his final letter to his wife, Lumumba he states, “ History will have it one day-Not the history they teach in Brussels, Paris, Washington or the United Nations, but the history taught in the countries set free from colonialism and it's puppet rulers, Africa will write her own history, and both north and south of the Sahara. It will be a history of glory and dignity” (www.africawithin.com). Lumumba clearly understood the long suffering that would exist for African countries in their quest for independence. It is not without notice that his final letter speaks about the lack of support by the U.N., the influence on those within in country that were susceptible to corruption. He also recognized the personal sacrifice, courage and long-suffering of those like himself, that envisioned a unified Africa, free from colonial rule.