Patrice Lumumba Quotes

The aspirations of the peoples of colonial countries, are identical, their destinies are similar and the goals they pursue in their national development are the same: liberation of Africa from the yoke of colonialism. Africa will never be free and independent if any part of it remains under foreign domination.

My dear countrymen! In joy and in sorrow I will always be with you. It is together with you that I fought to free my country from foreign rule. Together with you I am fighting to strengthen our national independence. Together with you, I will fight to preserve the integrity and national unity of the Republic of the Congo.

We are no longer your monkeys.

Quoted in Il Congo di Lumumba e di Mulele.

Our dearest wish perhaps, some may find it utopian is to found in the Congo a Nation in which differences of race and religion will melt away, a homogeneous society composed of Belgians and Congolese who with a single impulse will link their hearts to the destinies of the country.

Kamina, is the first enterprise we are going to nationalise in Congo.

in this sphere even Belgium who, understanding in the end the sense of history, did not try any harder to oppose our independence, is prepared to give us her help and friendship.

A minimum of comfort is necessary for the practice of virtue.

We know, that some Congolese are well off, but they are in the minority; meanwhile we are concerned with the majority of the population.

We protest against any attempts to split our national territory. The Congo’s greatness is based on the maintenance of its political and economic unity.

Neither cruelty, nor violence, nor torture will make me beg for mercy, because I prefer to die with my head raised high, with unshakeable faith... In my country’s predestination rather than live in submission forsaking my sacred principles.