Congolese statesman, first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Republic of Congo from 1960 to 1964), Patrice Lumbumba was one of the main figures of the independence of the Belgian Congo. On Independence Day he spoke out against the colonial authorities, denouncing in a virulent manner colonialism and its crimes, and by presenting independence as the outcome of a struggle. This speech increases his popularity in the country and abroad. Malcolm X describes him on this occasion as the greatest black man having set foot on the African soil. He was murdered on 17 January 1961.