Restitution of the remains of Patrice Lumumba: a "moment of emotion and hope" for his daughter
The coffin of Patrice Lumumba in the center of the DRC embassy in Brussels, June 20, 2022. © RFI / Paulina Zidi
Text by: Paulina Zidi Follow |
Pierre Firtion Follow
2 mins
It was a historic moment, this Monday, June 20, 2022, the Belgian justice gave the family of Patrice Lumumba a relic.
A tooth that a Belgian officer had taken from the body of the former Prime Minister shortly after his assassination more than 61 years ago.
After this restitution, the body of the national hero was taken to the DRC embassy in Brussels, signing there his return to Congolese soil.
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From our special envoys in Brussels
,
"
I'm very moved,
I didn't think this day could happen
", Jules Lumumba has his eyes shining when he talks about his relative.
The old man looks with emotion at the large coffin which now sits in the middle of the Congolese embassy, surrounded by white flowers.
At his side, Congolese from Belgium came to gather near the remains of the national hero and sign the registers of condolences.
In the room, there are both anonymous and ambassadors, such as that of Gabon.
Everyone comes when they want.
“
It's our tradition, explains one of the organizers, everyone comes to pay homage without announcing themselves, the house is simply open
.
»
In front of the Congolese embassy in Brussels, anonymous people and personalities flock to salute the memory of Patrice Lumumba, June 20, 2022. © RFI / Paulina Zidi
“Moment of emotion and gravity”
Last stage of a day rich in emotion started a few hours earlier during a family ceremony in a small committee at the Egmont Palace, in the heart of the Belgian capital.
The tooth, the only remnant of the body of Congo's first prime minister, has been returned to his family.
The end of a wait of more than 61 years for his three children: Juliana, Roland and François.
“
This moment of emotion and gravity must open up a moment of hope
, believes Juliana Lumumba,
it must soothe the wounded memories, and fill the memory gap that exists
” between Belgium and the DRC.
► To read also: DRC: the remains of Patrice Lumumba officially handed over to his family by Belgian justice
The private ceremony was followed by speeches by officials, including those of the two heads of government.
The Belgian Alexander de Croo reiterated his country's apologies while the Congolese, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, announced the organization of "
national mourning which could never take place
".
A mourning that must now take the remains of Patrice Lumumba across the country for ten days of commemoration.
♦ Speeches by Belgian officials during the ceremony
It is a little after 10 a.m. this morning when Frédéric Van Leeuw, the Belgian federal prosecutor, gives the family of Patrice Lumumba the bright blue box containing the tooth of the hero of Congolese independence: "
It's really an honor for me to participate in this event to be able to hand over what is left of your father who symbolized many things for many people in the world.
»
About twenty people attend this very solemn moment.
The casket is then placed in a coffin.
Before the official ceremony begins in the presence of the Congolese and Belgian prime ministers.
Alexander De Croo then uses strong words.
He considers this return much too late and then renews the apologies of the Belgian government: "
I would like here, in the presence of his family, to reiterate the apologies of the Belgian government for the way in which it weighed at the time on the decision to put an end to the days of the country's first prime minister.
»
The Belgian Prime Minister once again points to Belgium's moral responsibility in this assassination, without going any further as some would have liked.
A speech despite this visibly well received by the family of Patrice Lumumba.
LIVE Toespraak tijdens de ceremonie voor Patrice Emery Lumumba - Speech given during the ceremony for Patrice Emery Lumumba https://t.co/angywe8I5G
— Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) June 20, 2022
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ground floor
Belgium
Patrice Lumumba
Alexander DeCroo