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The gold-capped tooth of Patrice Lumumba, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence hero, remains safe and secure, his daughter Juliana Lumumba has confirmed. This reassurance comes after the mausoleum in Kinshasa housing his remains was vandalized on Monday night, sparking fears that the cherished relic had been stolen.
Juliana Lumumba explained that previous concerns over the site’s security had prompted the family to relocate the tooth to a safer location. “The tooth was not in the mausoleum at the time of the break-in,” she clarified, seeking to calm a nation alarmed by the desecration of the memorial.
A Revered Symbol of Independence
Patrice Lumumba, celebrated for his fierce anti-colonial stance, was Congo’s first prime minister after its independence from Belgium in 1960. His legacy as a symbol of hope and pan-Africanism endures across Africa, especially in the face of Congo’s brutal colonial history under Belgian rule, during which millions were killed or subjected to severe exploitation.
However, Lumumba’s tenure as prime minister was short-lived. He was ousted in a coup within months of independence and assassinated by a firing squad in 1961 at just 35 years old, with the tacit support of Belgium. His body was dissolved in acid, but Belgian police officer Gérard Soete kept his gold-capped tooth as a macabre souvenir.
In 2022, Belgium returned the tooth to Lumumba’s family after decades of lobbying, led by Juliana Lumumba. Its return was a moment of national pride and healing, marked by a ceremonial tour across Congo to allow citizens to pay their respects before it was enshrined in the Kinshasa mausoleum.
Outrage Over Vandalism
Footage of the vandalism showed a smashed glass door and the damaged chamber where a coffin was visible. Culture Minister Yolande Elebe Mandembo announced an investigation, and authorities have since arrested four suspects, though their identities remain undisclosed.
Juliana Lumumba expressed “anger and sadness” over the desecration of her father’s memorial, stating, “This is so unrepresentative of our culture, which respects the graves of our dearly departed.” She also reaffirmed the Lumumba Foundation’s desire to assume control of the mausoleum to ensure its proper protection, citing previous security lapses.
A Legacy Worth Protecting
Lumumba’s gold-capped tooth is more than a relic—it symbolizes the sacrifices he made for Congo’s sovereignty and independence. Its return marked a significant step in confronting the painful legacy of colonialism.
As Congo grapples with this violation of a cherished site, Juliana Lumumba’s words echo the sentiment of many Congolese: “Patrice Lumumba sacrificed himself for the sovereignty and independence of his country. His memory deserves to be safeguarded with the utmost respect.”
