Lumumba-Congo Charisma

A Belgian commander writes on a chalk board: Independence: before=after; a clear message was being sent to the Congolese soldiers of the Force Publique that although Belgium had granted the Congo independence, the power was still in their hands. Patrice Lumumba minced no words in letting Belgium leaders know that the Congo would control its own destiny. Peck’s Lumumba delves into the complexities of Patrice Lumumba, the man, and the Congo, the country he hoped to unify. Be warned, this film is not for the squeamish or faint of heart for the brutalities are graphic. Also, be prepared with a trigger finger on the pause button since the English subtitles move very quickly. Lumumba rose from postal worker, to beer sales, to a fire in the belly activist. Blessed with a gift for oratory, Lumumba became the voice for freedom in the Congo, articulating the pent up rage of a people long subjugated by the Belgians. Lumumba knew just the right chord to strike with his people to energize them to action. Lumumba’s gift is showcased at the independence ceremony attended by Belgian authorities. King Baudoin’s speech recounting the many benefits of the Belgian/Congo relationship was reciprocated with a virulent attack against the Belgians that brought a standing ovation by the Congolese nationalists. His fervor earned him the popular vote and the role of Prime Minister. Lumumba’s dream of a unified Congo was short lived as regional clashes erupted in the fledgling country, and mobs retaliated against Belgian citizens. With Congo spinning out of control, world powers lined up to capitalize on the chaos. Behind the scenes, Lumumba’s chief of staff, Mobutu, was being courted by US agents with promises of power. President Kasavubu relieved Lumumba of his position and placed him under house arrest. Distrustful of all and aware that his death was imminent, Lumumba called for UN protection. Within a short time of his escape to Stanleyville, he is apprehended, tortured and executed.

Lumumba lives on in memory as a champion of Congolese freedom and a symbol of African pride, but speculation abounds whether he had the ability to lead the country. There is no doubt that he was instrumental in fanning the flames of nationalism that eventually brought independence. However, he was a man with little experience and fewer resources. His passion consumed him to the point of paralysis hindering his ability to build consensus among warring factions and bring his vision to fruition; instead, he alienated those closest to him. Even if Lumumba had survived, it is not likely he could have kept the Congo unraveling without military intervention. His hope that Congolese would rise up together in peace and steer their own course was naïve. He would have done well to heed the saying,”Hold your friends close, your enemies closer.” especially with regard to Mobutu. His intransigent character did not serve him well, and unless he could have developed the art of diplomacy his term would have likely been ineffective. His forceful personality and conviction that he knew what Congo should become would lead him in the direction of dictatorship for an extended period of time. Lumumba would probably see this as means to an end.