Patrice Lumumba was a leader in the independance struggle in modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo, also being the countries first democratically elected Prime Minister. A major figure in the Decolonization Movement of the 1950's, Lumumba's short leadersip was marked by a vehement defence of Congolese national interests against international pressure from Western powers and companies.
Eventually assassinated by a coalition of domestic adversaries that were supported by the U.S and Belgian governments in trademark Cold War geopolitical maneuvering, Lumumba's legacy remains intact as a fierce critic of imperialism. Yet also as icon in pan-Africanism and proponent of self-determination and self-reliance.