Kyiv

Historical Solidarity between Socialist countries like Yugoslavia and Poland with decolonizing countries in Africa

In the early weeks of 1961, news broke that sent a jolt through much of the decolonizing world: Patrice Lumumba, the Republic of the Congo’s first democratically elected prime minister, had been executed. Lumumba had become a powerful symbol of African independence after he led Congo to liberation from Belgian colonial rule in June 1960. But his time in office was short lived. Just months into independence, he was deposed in a coup backed by internal rivals and western powers. Captured and handed over to secessionist forces in Katanga with the complicity of Belgian authorities, Lumumba was killed on January 17, 1961.

His death was met with outrage in Socialist nations. In Yugoslavia, anger exploded into the streets. In Belgrade, a crowd estimated at 150,000 gathered to condemn what they saw as a brutal act of neo-colonial interference. Chanting slogans and carrying placards that read “Glory to Lumumba; Death to Colonialism,” the protestors marched with growing intensity. Clashes with police erupted, culminating in the storming and looting of the Belgian embassy. The protests were not isolated to the capital, they spread to other cities as well, with Congolese students studying in Yugoslavia joining in. That same year, Belgrade’s new student dormitory was named in Lumumba’s honor.

Other Socialists countries experienced similar reactions. In Poland on February 14th, 1961, the Belgian embassy was met with riots, when around a thousand students (mostly from the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute), gathered outside and chanted slogans, denouncing Belgium as responsible for Lumumba’s death. Polish authorities, far from suppressing the unrest, appeared to welcome the public outrage. Government officials issued statements condemning Belgium, and state-run newspapers published fierce denunciations of “imperialists” and “colonial murderers.” While Premier Jozef Cyrankiewicz even sent an official telegram of condolence to Congolese rebel leader Antoine Gizenga, recognizing him as the legitimate vice premier of the Congo. The night after that protestors stormed the embassy destroying it and covering Belgian officials with crimson paint.

Telegraph Hotel, Tbilisi - Neri & Hu