Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba’s speech at Independence Day in Congo unsettled and angered Belgium for several reasons, most notably because he advocated for a complete decolonization of the Congo that would benefit the entire population. In his speech, Lumumba criticized Belgian colonial rule, pointed out the injustices faced by the Congolese people, and called for true independence from foreign exploitation. This confrontation of Belgium's colonial history and Lumumba's emphasis on liberation and nationalism were seen as a direct threat to Belgian interests in the region. His speech highlighted the deep grievances of Congolese people towards their former colonizers and set a tone for Congo's assertion of sovereignty that was at odds with the interests of Belgium.
While some may have viewed Lumumba's leanings toward socialism and his associations with the Soviet Union as problematic, the primary source of Belgium's anger was rooted in his strong anti-colonial rhetoric. Hence, the most accurate reason is his advocacy for complete decolonization.
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