The Democratic Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960. The Belgians ruled Congo, then Congo Free State, with an iron fist. King Leopold II was the first Belgian who set the tone for brutal colonization in the Congo. Although King Leopold never set foot in the Congo, he ran it as his personal property, benefiting from its natural resources and reducing half of the country’s population from 1885 to 1908. The famous Casement Report of 1904 by the British diplomat Roger Casement led to the arrest of Leopold's white officials. In 1908 Congo was taken away from King Leopold and given to the Belgian parliament.

The Congolese struggled to gain their independence. Out of the struggle, there were nationalists who sacrificed their lives for the Congo. Patrice Lumumba was one of the many nationalists who, despite many arrests and imprisonments from Belgian officials, was not discouraged but determined to fight for the country’s independence. The martyrs killed for the Congolese independence represent the spirit of courage, determination, and hope for the country.

June 30, 1960, is a sacred day for all Congolese because it reminds us that our destiny lies in our hands, and our future depends on our collective work. To all who are reading this, I invite you to join us in celebrating freedom. And to all my fellow Congolese, let us listen to and apply our national anthem:

“Arise, Congolese, united by fate, united in the struggle for independence. Let us hold up our heads, so long bowed, and now for good, let us keep moving boldly ahead in peace. Oh ardent people, by hard work we shall build in peace a country more beautiful than before.”

Written by Nyenemo Sanguma, summer intern with the Paul Carlson Partnership.