Belgium : Lumumba’s Remains Handed To The Family

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Africa in general will leave to remember June 20, 2022. A day another major event was inscribed in the annals of the continent’s history following the handing over of a tooth, the only known remains of Patrice Lumumba to the family by the Belgian Government. Patrice Lumumba the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was assassinated in 1961 through firing squad by a Belgian police officer who dissolved his body in acid before stealing his tooth. 
Yesterday’s highly anticipated event presided by the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, is the latest efforts between Kinshasa and Brussels to improve ties, as both capitals seek to begin a new chapter that focuses on their future. The handover “is important if we want to have a future where we work together in harmonic ways,” said De Croo. It is important, he added, “that we put words on what has happened in the past, and also put words on the role that certain Belgians have played at that moment.” While acknowledging that several Belgian ministers in the early 1960s bear “moral responsibility” for the circumstances that led to Lumumba’s murder, the PM, “In the presence of his family apologize on behalf of the Belgian Government for what happened.” 
Bringing Lumumba’s tooth back to Congo has always been a great dream especially the children who can finally lay their father to rest. Today, (Tuesday, June 21, 2022) the tooth will embark on a tour of the Democratic Republic of Congo. First stop will be his na...