anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The 63th anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo.. Fruits of Lumumba's struggle and the continuous support of Nasser 

On this day in 1960, the Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence from Belgium. In 1885, Leopold II of Belgium had acquired rights to own the Congo after Berlin Conference, and the country became a private colony belonging to Leopold, not Belgium, and he named it "Congo Free State”.  

People of the country suffered for years from the abuse under the rule of Leopold until the Belgian Parliament intervened and Belgium took control of Congo Free State in 1908 and named it the “Belgian Congo”. The situation did not improve much and the colonial acts of the deprivation of rights, exploitation and the continuous plundering of the country's wealth. The Belgian Congolese people were demanding independence for years. Revolutions and disturbances erupted against the Belgian government, and the Congolese national movement was launched in 1958 led by leader Patrice Lumumba to resist and oppose colonialism, until Belgium granted Independence to the colony on June 30, 1960, then it was named the "Republic of Congo” and Patrice Lumumba became Prime Minister and Joseph Kasavubu  became President of the Republic. 

Under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt provided all possible means of support to assist the liberation movements and the battles of independence in the Democratic Republic of Congo against the colonialism. President Gamal Abdel Nasser also supported the leader Patrice Lumumba and his right to represent the central government until Congo gained independence.

After independence, Egypt supported the unity of Congo against the separation plots, as the Congo did not enjoy the independence for long, as a clash occurred between Lumumba and Kasavubu (who was known for his loyalty to the Belgians). He ousted Lumumba and the country entered into  civil war. During this time, Egypt received Lumumba's family in Cairo at the wish of Lumumba to fly them to Gamal Abdel Nasser given the dangerous situation they were all in. Lumumba was assassinated in January 1961, and Egypt continued to provide all kinds of support to assist Congo and support its security and internal stability.