A Belgian court has ruled that 93‑year‑old Etienne Davignon can face trial for his alleged involvement in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first prime minister. Davignon is accused of playing a role in Lumumba’s arrest, transfer, and mistreatment prior to his execution by firing squad. This development comes more than six decades after Lumumba’s death, highlighting enduring calls for justice from his family and supporters.
Following a 1960 coup that ousted Lumumba, his body was secretly dissolved in acid, making the case one of the most notorious political assassinations in African history. Belgium, the former colonial power, has since acknowledged its responsibility and issued formal apologies to Lumumba’s family and the Congolese state. The legal proceedings against Davignon mark a rare instance of accountability for those implicated in the assassination.
Davignon is the only surviving suspect in the case, which was first initiated by Lumumba’s relatives in 2011. Lumumba’s grandson welcomed the court’s decision, calling it an important step toward justice, though the ruling can still be challenged on appeal. Observers say the case underscores the ongoing reckoning with colonial-era crimes and the complexities of pursuing justice decades after the events.