Lumumba, Patrice Emergy

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Lumumba, Patrice Emergy (1925–61) Congolese statesman, prime minister (1960–61) of Congo. He was leader of the Congolese nationalist movement against the Belgians and became first premier of the independent Republic of the Congo. The country plunged into civil war when the province of Katanga tried to secede. Lumumba appealed to the United Nations (UN) for assistance and a peace-keeping force was sent. Mobutu dismissed and imprisoned him. Lumumba escaped, but was recaptured and killed.

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