The+Deomcratic+Republic+of+the+Congo


 * by Ishtar, grade 6**

In 1960, The Democratic Republic of Congo won it’s independence back from Belgium. Now, every June 30, they celebrate their independence day. They prepare humongous meals, dance, and sing. But, before June 30, 1960, they were colonized by Belgium. Starting in the 1880's, Belgium's King Leopold II, took control over Congo's territory. He had his men enslave Congo's people and steal their best resources and minerals. A few years before that, in 1876,a man named Henry Morton Stanley was sent to finish what the king had started. He turned Congo's government into a Belgian government and changed their name. Congo's new name was Zaire.

An additional problem in Congo's fight for independence, was the new dictator. His name was Mobuto Sese Seko. He began his 32-year dictatorship in 1965. Unfortunately, he was a horrible dictator. He stole from his own country and made himself and his allies rich through Congo's minerals. Other countries began to see Congo as a kleptocracy. A kleptocracy is basically a country with a bad government who steals public goods.

When the people of Congo started fighting for their independence back, a man named Patrice Lumumba stepped up.Patrice Lumumba was the revolutionary leader of the fight for independence. Patrice Lumumba was a writer and a civic organizer. He went to missionary school and he borrowed books from the library to get inspiration from for his work. Lumumba traveled around his country and learned many different languages. Later on, he became a postal service clerk, then an accountant. In addition, he wrote essays and poems for publication. He also got intensely involved in political movements.On January 18, a year after Congo's independence was won, he was murdered, with the help of the CIA, by a chief in Katanga.

Three years before Patrice Lumumba's death, he organized a movement called the Congolese National Movement. The main purpose of the movement was to make Congo a self government. The word of the movement spread fast. It became very popular and spread to six other provinces. The march was threatening to the Belgian government. They could tell their reign was coming to an end. Somethings that led to the movement were slavery, beatings, and murder for no reason. Patrice Lumumba stuck up for the Congo and spoke about making things better. He demanded peace, liberty, and nationalism. The Belgian government did not take his demands kindly. Lumumba was often given jail terms. But, this didn't stop him from fighting.

One part of the Congolese National Movement was that Patrice Lumumba and his allies boycotted all elections held by the Belgian government. This was a shortcut to getting control over the police. Another part of the movement was that Lumumba asked for Congo's independence, but the government wasn't allowed to add any extra deeds that Congo would have to fulfill to win their independence. The Belgian government agreed to this but, there were extra deeds involved. Belgium wanted war and Patrice Lumumba didn't. He tried to prevent the government from taking control over him and his people. The government made war anyway and they almost won it. The U.S. CIA and the government of Belgium plotted to assassinate Patrice Lumumba .He was shot and killed in Katanga on January 17, 1961.

Patrice Lumumba's death was a big surprise to his followers and admirers. It was also a chance to fight back. This was the time for the Congo to end the war and get its independence back. So they fought back and won. Every June 30th, they remember and celebrate their fight for independence and the people lost along the way.