History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The earliest known human settlements in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been dated back to the Middle Stone Age, approximately 90,000 years ago. The first real states, such as the Kongo, the Lunda, the Luba and Kuba, appeared south of the equatorial forest on the savannah from the 14th century onwards.
Children mutilated during King Leopold II's rule
Patrice Lumumba, founding member and leader of the MNC
Mobutu Sese Seko
Ugandan President Idi Amin Visits Zaire and Meets Mobutu during The Shaba I Conflict
Patrice Émery Lumumba, born Isaïe Tasumbu Tawosa, was a Congolese politician and independence leader who served as the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from June until September 1960, following the May 1960 election. He was the leader of the Congolese National Movement (MNC) from 1958 until his execution in January 1961. Ideologically an African nationalist and pan-Africanist, he played a significant role in the transformation of the Congo from a colony of Belgium into an independent republic.
Lumumba in 1960
Photograph of Lumumba, c. 1950s
Lumumba in 1958
Lumumba pictured in Brussels at the Round Table Conference with other members of the MNC-L delegation, 26 January 1960