Former Belgian diplomat faces trial for role in Congos Patrice Lumumba murder

A Brussels court has ordered 93-year-old Etienne Davignon to stand trial over his alleged involvement in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first prime minister and anti-colonial icon, in 1961. Davignon, a former European commissioner and junior diplomat at the time, is accused of war crimes, including the unlawful detention or transfer of Lumumba and deprivation of his right to an impartial trial.

Prosecutors claim that Davignon subjected Lumumba to “humiliating and degrading treatment” during his detention. Ten people were initially accused of being complicit in Lumumba’s murder, but Davignon is the only suspect still alive. The case was brought by Lumumba’s family members, who have expressed hope for a thorough investigation.

In 2002, a parliamentary investigation found that Belgium was “morally responsible” for Lumumba’s death. Since then, there has been no trial related to the murder of Lumumba. Davignon will be the first Belgian official to face the courts in over 65 years since Lumumba’s assassination and body dissolving in acid.

The case has sparked a mixed reaction from African countries, with some expressing hope for justice and others acknowledging the challenges of holding a country accountable for its colonial past. The trial is set to proceed, marking an important step forward in seeking truth and accountability for the events surrounding Lumumba’s death.

Source: Al Jazeera