Patrice Lumumba was a Congolese politician and the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo after it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. He was a key figure in the struggle for independence and advocated for national unity and social justice. Lumumba's leadership aimed to address the country's colonial legacy and promote economic development. His tenure was marked by political turmoil and conflict, leading to his removal from power later that year. Lumumba was arrested and assassinated in January 1961, a significant event that highlighted the Cold War tensions in Africa and the involvement of foreign powers, including the United States and Belgium.