Étienne Davignon, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat, has passed away before facing trial for the murder of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. His death was confirmed by the Jacques Delors Institute, where he served on the board.
In March, a court ordered Davignon to stand trial for war crimes related to Lumumba’s extra-judicial killing 65 years ago, aiming to clarify a significant event in 20th-century political history. Lumumba became the first prime minister of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo following its independence from Belgium in 1960, but he was ousted and killed by Belgian-backed rebels in January 1961.
This murder represents a troubling chapter in Belgium’s colonial past and marked a pivotal moment in Africa’s liberation movements. Prosecutors alleged that Davignon, then a junior diplomat, participated in Lumumba’s unlawful detention and denied him a fair trial. He also faced accusations of being involved in the murders of Lumumba’s allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito. Davignon denied any wrongdoing and was awaiting an appeal regarding the trial order at the time of his death.
The Lumumba family welcomed the court’s decision, stating it was a significant step toward accountability that history has long sought. With Davignon’s passing, he was the last living individual implicated in the Belgian investigation, and the court ruled that cases against other deceased suspects would not proceed.
Following his time in Congo, Davignon became a prominent figure in Belgium, serving as cabinet chief to Prime Minister Paul-Henri Spaak in the late 1960s and as European commissioner from 1977 to 1985. He held various board positions in both Belgian and international companies. In 2018, King Philippe elevated him from viscount to count.
