A Belgian Court has Reopened the Murder case of Patrice Lumumba

The family of Patrice Lumumba, the murdered Congolese independence leader, said on Tuesday they hope a Belgian court case will finally bring justice, as judges consider whether to prosecute the last surviving suspect linked to his 1961 killing.

For the past 15 years, Lumumba’s relatives have been pushing for legal action over what they describe as Belgium’s role in the events that led to his death. They say the case is a long overdue attempt to confront the past.

“We cannot turn back time, but we are relying on the Belgian justice system to do its duty and help clarify this chapter of history,” said Yema Lumumba, 33, his granddaughter, speaking to AFP outside a Brussels court before a closed hearing.

Lumumba, who became Congo’s first prime minister after independence, was executed 65 years ago. His body was later dissolved in acid by separatists, with assistance from mercenaries linked to Belgium, the former colonial power.

Only one former Belgian official is still alive to potentially face trial. Etienne Davignon, now 93, was a junior diplomat at the time and later served as a European commissioner. Belgian federal prosecutors accuse him of involvement in Lumumba’s unlawful detention and transfer, as well as subjecting him to humiliating and degrading treatment.

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