Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba’s Speech at Independence Day in Congo unsettled and angered Belgium, former colonizer of the Congo. Why?

Lumumba advocated for a complete decolonisation of the Congo that would benefit the entire population
Lumumba was a communist
Lumumba was a capitalist
Lumumba was a dictator

1 answer

Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba's speech at Independence Day in Congo unsettled and angered Belgium primarily because Lumumba advocated for a complete decolonisation of the Congo that would benefit the entire population. In his speech, he highlighted the injustices of colonial rule and emphasized the need for true independence and self-determination for the Congolese people. This direct criticism of Belgium's colonial legacy and call for accountability provoked a strong reaction from the Belgian government, which was sensitive to any challenges to its colonial authority and actions in the Congo.