Tooth of DRC Independence Hero Buried in Kinshasa

1 年前

The only remains of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence hero Patrice Lumumba, a solitary tooth, was buried in Kinshasa on Thursday, June 30.

The tooth was returned from Belgium, 61 years after his death at the hand of Belgian-backed rebels.

The funeral was held on the 62nd anniversary of the central African country’s independence.

Lumumba was killed by firing squad after his removal as the country’s prime minister in 1961. His body was never found.

His only remaining tooth was allegedly taken by a Belgian policeman, Gerard Soete, who claimed to have dissolved Lumumba’s corpse in acid.

Footage posted by the Presidency of the Republic of Congo shows parts of the funeral held with DRC president Felix Tshisekedi and other representatives in attendance. Credit: Presidence de la Republique via Storyful