Belgian government to launch search for original text of speech by Patrice Lumumba

The Belgian federal government will launch an appeal to the public to find the original text of the speech that Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba delivered on 30 June 1960 on the occasion of his country's declaration of independence. This was said by State Secretary for Science Policy Thomas Dermine on Tuesday.

In 2015, a facsimile of the text was found in documents of the Finoutremer fund, which resulted from the merger of companies created during Belgian colonial rule that was liquidated in 2000. The Finoutremer archive was transferred to the State Archives and is available for consultation online.

"This is definitely a unique historical trail because it is a handwritten document with notes, with corrections made almost 'live' for King Baudouin," said Dermine.

The original document was probably stolen after Lumumba's speech and is still untraceable. According to MP Jean-Marc Delizée, the hearings of the commission currently investigating Belgium's colonial past have revealed that it may still be in Belgium, with the descendants of those who stole it.

"The big challenge today is to find the original, which is in the state archives or in a private fund. This document is very symbolic and important for Congolese history," said Dermine. "In the coming weeks, we will launch an appeal to the public to try to find it and ensure its traceability." According to the Secretary of State, the document could be the subject of a scientific or cultural collaboration between Belgium and the Congo.

During his speech, Lumumba recalled 62 years ago the treatment of the Congolese people by the colonial powers. These words almost made King Baudouin leave the ceremony.

(TOM)

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