DR Congo: Authorities arrest suspects in Lumumba Mausoleum vandalism

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrested four suspects following the vandalism of the mausoleum dedicated to Patrice Lumumba, the nation’s independence hero. The incident, which occurred on Monday night in the capital Kinshasa, sparked outrage across the country.

Footage from the scene showed a shattered glass door granting access to the chamber where a coffin was displayed, raising fears that Lumumba’s only surviving remains—a gold-capped tooth—had been stolen.

However, his daughter, Juliana Lumumba, confirmed to the BBC that the tooth was safe, as it had been moved to a secure location prior to the break-in due to longstanding security concerns.

The tooth, returned to the Lumumba family by Belgium in 2022 after years of lobbying, has immense symbolic value.

It was the only part of Lumumba’s body to survive his assassination in 1961, which was followed by the gruesome destruction of his remains.

The tooth’s return was a moment of national pride and unity, with the relic taken on a tour across the country.

Ms. Lumumba expressed « anger and sadness » over the desecration of her father’s resting place, emphasizing its importance as a site of national memory.

She urged the government to allow the Lumumba Foundation to manage the mausoleum to ensure better security.

Local authorities have yet to reveal the identities of the arrested suspects, but the investigation continues, reflecting the nation’s commitment to preserving the legacy of its independence leader.