Lumumba

Let’s play “What if” history: imagine that Lumumba had managed to overcome the challenges to his rule and stay in power. How do you think his presidency would have unfolded? Would he have succeeded in keeping Zaire from falling apart? Would he have established the country as a democracy or would he most likely have become a dictator ruling for many years?

I do think Lumumba would have kept Zaire from falling apart, but he would have been in for an incredible struggle. In overcoming the challenges to his rule, he would have had to surpass a lot of corruption and chicanery. But if he could prevail over the Belgians, the Americans and members of his own party, then he would have to emerge with a fairly strong, stable and consolidated base of power.

Considering how strongly opposed he was to Belgium’s rule and control, I don’t see how he could continue as a dictator without losing whatever moral authority he had. This is the man who railed against Belgium’s treatment of Zaire as slaves. To then refuse to allow democracy would be hypocritical, which very well would lead to a weakened Zaire that, again, would be colonized by a European country.