Title: The martyrs of January 4, 1959: honoring the memory of the heroes of Congo’s independence
Introduction :
65 years ago, the Belgian Congo experienced a significant event in its history: the revolt of the Kongolese people, also known as the revolution of January 4, 1959. This revolt profoundly upset the colonial plan of the Belgian government, resulting in to the granting of independence to the Congo on June 30, 1960. Today, it is important to ask ourselves what we have done to perpetuate the memory of these martyrs and whether we have truly honored those who sacrificed their lives for that the Congo can achieve its independence.
The events of January 4, 1959:
On January 4, 1959, the city of Léopoldville (today Kinshasa) was plunged into chaos. In the space of four days, nearly a century of colonial rule collapsed, leaving behind a bloody toll. Nearly 300 Kongolese lost their lives and many others were injured. White settlers were targeted, brutalized, and robbed. Belgium was forced to recognize the inevitable: the independence of the Congo was inevitable.
Forgetting and the erasure of memory:
It is regrettable to note that the memory of the martyrs of January 4, 1959 seems to have been forgotten. According to our research, their bodies lie in a mass grave in the former Kasa-Vubu cemetery, with a degrading sign written: “Here are the thieves buried!” It is unacceptable to relegate these heroes of independence to mere thieves, thus disregarding their sacrifice and contribution to the march towards independence.
The need to preserve memory:
It is essential that the national archives of Congo, in collaboration with the archives of the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren in Belgium, preserve the historical documents relating to these events. It is crucial to recover these colonial archives to rewrite our history and preserve the memory of the martyrs of January 4, 1959. This would allow us to transmit this important period of our history to future generations.
Honor the memory of the martyrs:
It is high time that the competent authorities of the Congo take concrete measures to honor the memory of the martyrs of independence. Here are some suggestions that could be considered: the acquisition of the historic YMCA building to make it a memorial site, the construction of a stele and a monument for the martyrs of January 4, the recovery of the portion of land where they are buried in Kasa-Vubu, the granting of permanent seats in parliament for ABAKO members and the recognition of the VITA CLUB and MIKADO football teams which played a role in this historic period.
Conclusion :
It is imperative not to forget the martyrs of January 4, 1959 and to pay tribute to them in a dignified and respectful manner.. By honoring their memory, we celebrate the history and fight for Congo’s independence. By preserving their legacy, we pass this story on to future generations, so they can understand and appreciate the sacrifice that made Congo’s independence possible.