Belgium Faces Former Diplomat Over Congo Leader’s 1961 Killing

A court in Brussels has decided that a former Belgian diplomat must stand trial for his role in the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first prime minister. The case is a final effort to clarify the unclear events that led to Lumumba’s death, which remains controversial decades later. Lumumba became prime minister when Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960, but he was removed from power after only three months. On January 16 1961, Belgian‑backed rebels killed him in a violent coup. In 2002, a Belgian parliamentary inquiry declared that Belgium was “morally responsible” for the assassination. The new trial marks the first time a person has been formally charged in connection with the murder. The defendant, 93‑year‑old Count Etienne Davignon, was a junior diplomat at the time. Prosecutors allege that he helped unlawfully detain Lumumba and denied him a fair trial, subjecting him to humiliating treatment. They also claim he was involved in the killings of two of Lumumba’s allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.All other suspects in the case have died. Davignon was not present at the hearing, and his lawyer has not yet commented. Lumumba’s granddaughter, Yema Lumumba, welcomed the ruling as a positive step toward uncovering truth and assigning responsibility. She said her family hopes to learn more about who was truly accountable for his death. After his Congo posting, Davignon rose to prominence as the first head of the International Energy Agency and later served as a European Commissioner. He also held senior positions in major Belgian companies before being named a count by King Philippe in 2018. The trial reflects ongoing efforts to address past injustices linked to colonial rule and the Cold War, as well as the complex legacy of Congo’s struggle for stability and resource management.