Unit 9 -- Lumumba: What If?

I believe Patrice Lumumba's presidency of the Congo was doomed to failure, even without the behind-the-scenes workings of the Belgians and others. There is no doubt that Lumumba was a charismatic individual with an almost evangelistic way of stirring the people with his speech. However, Lumumba did not possess the skills necessary for the day-to-day administration of a country. The same fiery personality that gave him the ability to stir the people to demand freedom also gave him the inability to compromise when dealing with the Belgians or his African political rivals. This inability to use diplomacy when necessary tended to alienate Lumumba's rivals, and even some of his supporters.

The film Lumumba portrays Patrice Lumumba as a lonely figure who trusted very few people. He seemed to be getting by on his bluffing abilities. This lack of direction and empty talk would not have created a long-term successful government.