Part 4/8:
After decades of relentless exploitation, the DRC finally gained independence in 1960—a moment that symbolized hope for the Congolese people. Patrice Lumumba was elected as the first Prime Minister, embodying their aspirations for true freedom and prosperity. However, the West, still yearning to maintain control over the country's vast resources, quickly sought to stifle any ambitions for genuine sovereignty. Amidst rising tensions, rebellions erupted in the resource-rich Katanga region, prompting Lumumba to seek aid. Yet, as he turned to the Soviet Union for assistance in a climate of Cold War paranoia, Western powers, fearing a shift in control, viewed him as a threat.