The text is a transcript of a lecture that the author gave in Brussels in 2018 at an event organized as part of the Genealogy of Amnesia project. Womba Konga reflects on the issues of amnesia in Belgium, and emphasizes the importance of decolonization of Patrice Lumumba, a Congolese politician and independence leader. When analyzing colonial history, we have to emphasize that the colonization of the Congo is not just a Congolese issue, but is actually primarily a Belgian issue. In such a context, remembering 17th January as the day of Lumumba’s death becomes even more important.
