A political history of the Congolese democratic movement in the 20th century from a significant player in the country's struggle. Topics covered include: the brutality of colonial rule; independence in 1960; external inteference from the US; Mobutu's regime; and periodic warfare.
An analysis of struggles for democracy and national sovereignty
The political history of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is marked by its transition from King Leopold II's private ownership to a nation grappling with poverty despite abundant resources. Governance failures since colonial times and ongoing external exploitation have hindered national development. The book highlights the struggles of the Congolese people, who persistently seek democracy and sovereignty amidst a backdrop of societal and political crises, driven by a lack of effective leadership and a commitment to the common good.
Eine Analyse der Kämpfe um Demokratie und nationale Souveränität
Die politische Geschichte der Demokratischen Republik Kongo wird von der Gründung 1885 bis zur Gegenwart beleuchtet, wobei der Fokus auf den Gründen für die anhaltende Armut trotz reicher Ressourcen liegt. Die schlechten Regierungsführungen seit der Kolonialzeit und die externe Ausbeutung durch Weltmächte haben zur Krise beigetragen. Gleichzeitig kämpfen die Kongolesen, trotz widriger Umstände, weiterhin friedlich für Demokratie und Souveränität, um ein besseres Leben für ihre Bevölkerung zu erreichen.
Patrice Lumumba was a leader of the independence struggle in what is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the country's first democratically elected prime minister. After a meteoric rise in the colonial civil service and the African political elite, he became a major figure in the decolonization movement of the 1950s.