I have posted below Patrice Lumumba' independence speech that he read in from of parliament and King Baudouin on June 30th, 1960. Whatever one might think of Lumumba - I often find him to be more popular outside of the Congo - it was a great speech, given in response to King Baudouin's statement that the Congo had benefited from "the genius of Leopold." I think Louis Michel, the former Belgian foreign minister who recently said that Leopold had been "a visionary hero," would do well to read it.
You can read it here.
Right now reading "Du sang sur les lianes" from Belgian scholar Vangroenwehge. He mentions this speech and the reaction of Baudouin. Belgian amnesia goes on... Until when? Bests, Juliette
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