The Lumumba Plot: when the American authorities and the CIA played a dark role in the elimination of the Congolese leader
In his recently published book entitled “The Lumumba Plot”, the American journalist Stuart Reid traces in a remarkably documented manner the events which led to the elimination of Patrice Emery Lumumba, the charismatic Prime Minister of the independent Congo. Through archives and exchanges with senior American officials, Reid highlights the key role played by American authorities and the CIA in this historic plot.
Reid’s story immerses us in an era marked by the Cold War, where rivalries between the great powers played out through the internal conflicts of newly independent countries. Lumumba, although initially seen as a potential ally of the United States, quickly attracted attention and criticism from U.S. officials at the time. He was considered unstable, irregular and unreliable.
But beyond these considerations, it was the fear of seeing Lumumba moving closer to the Soviet Union that pushed American officials to act. Indeed, Lumumba had requested military aid from the USSR, which reinforced fears of a communist takeover in the Congo. On August 18, 1960, President Eisenhower instructed the CIA to eliminate Lumumba.
The CIA will put in place various plans to assassinate Lumumba, going so far as to send poison to the Congo. However, none of these plans will come to fruition. Ultimately, Lumumba’s fate would be sealed when Congolese authorities decided to transfer him to areas held by Lumumba’s sworn enemies, inevitably leading to his death.
This poignant story highlights the murky role of the American authorities and the CIA in the elimination of Lumumba. It also reminds us that history is often more complex and nuanced than we might think. The Lumumba Plot is a crucial reminder of the importance of historical research and the need to question official narratives.
The full article, a source of research and information on this historic conspiracy, is available on our blog. Do not hesitate to consult it to deepen your knowledge on this fascinating topic.