The Speech at the Ceremony of the Proclamation of the Congo's Independence[a] was a short political speech given by Patrice Lumumba on 30 June 1960 at the ceremonies marking the independence of the Republic of Congo (the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) from Belgium. It is best known for its outspoken criticism of colonialism.
Lumumba, the first Congolese Prime Minister, gave the address during the official independence commemorations at the Palais de la Nation in Léopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa). The ceremony was intended to mark the harmonious end of Belgian rule and was attended by both Congolese and Belgian dignitaries, including King Baudouin. Lumumba's speech, which was itself unscheduled, was in large part a response to Baudouin's speech which argued that the end of colonial rule in the Congo had been depicted as the culmination of the Belgian "civilising mission" begun by Leopold II in the Congo Free State. Lumumba's speech, broadcast live on the radio across the world, denounced colonialism and was interpreted as an affront to Belgium and Baudouin personally. While it was well-received within the Congo, it was widely condemned internationally as unnecessarily confrontational and for showing ingratitude at a time when Belgium had granted independence to the state. The speech nearly provoked a diplomatic incident between the Congo and Belgium, and Lumumba later gave further speeches attempting to adopt a more conciliatory tone.
The speech itself has since been praised for its use of political rhetoric, and is considered a landmark moment in the independence of the Congo. It has also been cited as a contributary factor to the subsequent Congo Crisis and in Lumumba's murder in 1961. Since its delivery, the speech has been widely reprinted and has been depicted in paintings and film.
^Lumumba 1961.
^Pfefferle 2013.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
and 20 Related for: Congolese Independence Speech information
The Speech at the Ceremony of the Proclamation of the Congo's Independence was a short political speech given by Patrice Lumumba on 30 June 1960 at the...
support for the decolonization of Africa. 1960: CongoleseIndependencespeech by Congoleseindependence leader and its first democratically elected Prime...
1925 – 17 January 1961), born Isaïe Tasumbu Tawosa, was a Congolese politician and independence leader who served as the first prime minister of the Democratic...
Congolese replacements (partly the result of colonial restrictions regarding higher education). Many Congolese people had assumed that independence would...
and World War II. It was renamed to the Congolese National Army in July 1960 after Congo gained independence from Belgian colonial rule. The Force Publique...
Ambroise Boimbo (died 1981) was a Congolese citizen who snatched the ceremonial sword of King Baudouin I of Belgium on June 29, 1960, in Léopoldville...
group of Congolese intellectuals under the tutelage of several European academics issued a manifesto calling for a transition to independence over the...
highest rank available to Congolese was adjutant, which only four soldiers achieved before independence. Though 14 Congolese cadets were enrolled in the...
Joseph-Georges Kasongo (25 December 1919 – 19 October 1990) was a Tanganyikan-born Congolese lawyer, businessman, and politician who served as the first President...
had to show themselves worthy of being granted independence. The Congolese audience disliked the speech, and Kasa-Vubu omitted the tribute to Baudouin...
the company was an important consideration for the leaders of the CongoleseIndependence movement while the Belgian government was most reluctant to give...
were nationalized. The period is sometimes referred to as the Second Congolese Republic. A wider campaign of Authenticité, ridding the country of the...
The Angolan War of Independence (Portuguese: Guerra de Independência de Angola; 1961–1974), known as the Luta Armada de Libertação Nacional ("Armed Struggle...
group of Congolese intellectuals under the tutelage of several European academics issued a manifesto calling for a transition to independence over the...
king attended the official reception; he gave a speech that received a blistering response by Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. As the head of...
Patrice Lumumba, who is commonly regarded as the achiever of the Congoleseindependence (30 June 1960), but was assassinated in January 1961 on the orders...
Mobutu Sese Seko or simply just Mobutu and also by his initials MSS, was a Congolese politician and military officer who was the 1st and only President of...
simultaneously elected President, on 27 April 1960. The Congolese had been agitating heavily for independence, and at the beginning of 1960 Patrice Lumumba was...
dancing. In urban areas, foreign genres of music are popular, particularly Congolese rumba, African-American music and Jamaican reggae. Freedoms of expression...
group of Congolese intellectuals under the tutelage of several European academics issued a manifesto calling for a transition to independence over the...