Between 1885 and 1961, Belgium killed over 10 million Congolese in DR Congo including its first Prime Minister Patrice Émery Lumumba (pictured).In his only book "Congo My Country", a man who dedicated himself to Africa and, since his death, has become a myth, made a declaration of faith. Lumumba wrote the book in 1956-7, although it was only published in Belgium after his death, in 1961. this lapse of time is important, for here we have not the frenzied figure who bestrode the world politics briefly in 1960, but a 'moderate' nationalist (an attitude scorned by militant pan-Africanists)--liberal-minded, fair and reasonable. His ideas are seen developing and changing; and we can study for the first time the attitude of the Congolese élite on the eve of Independence. What of attitude of this élite to the Belgian colonial rulers? 'The main aim of my book', wrote Lumumba, 'is to bring home to the Belgians and Congolese the imperative and urgent need to achie...
