From Struggle to Hope: 65 Years of DRC Independence
From Struggle to Hope: 65 Years of DRC Independence
Here’s a quick look back:
🟠Colonial struggle: After decades of colonial rule under Leopold II and then Belgium, Congolese leaders like Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Kasa-Vubu pushed for sovereignty, leading to the Brussels Round Table (1960) that set June 30 as Independence Day.
🟠Historic proclamation: On June 30, 1960, in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), Lumumba gave his iconic speech denouncing colonial abuses:
“No Congolese will ever forget that independence was won in struggle … tears, fire, and blood.”
🟠Post-independence crisis: The new nation faced secession in Katanga province, army mutinies, and Lumumba’s assassination in 1961, worsened by Cold War interventions.
🟠Mobutu’s era: In 1965, Mobutu Sese Seko seized power, renamed the country Zaire. His regime, marked by corruption, devastated the economy despite its vast resources. The Congo Wars (1996–2003) claimed millions of lives.
🟠Today’s hopes & challenges: Felix Tshisekedi became president in 2019. While a recent peace deal with Rwanda offers hope, eastern DRC remains volatile due to M23 and other armed groups.
“This date ... is a call to honor the memory of our heroes ... and reaffirm our commitment to a strong, united, and prosperous Republic,” President Tshisekedi said.
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