Lumumba Centenary: The oath ‘never to betray the Congo’ explained to young people

Kinshasa, July 2^nd, 2025 (CPA) – The oath ‘never to betray the Congo’ was explained on Wednesday to the youth of Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, during the centenary of Lumumba, the very first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the reconstruction of the country, organized by the university bearing his name. « To Patrice Lumumba, today, July 2^nd, on his centenary, our gratitude goes to the cultural institutions we lead, the Congolese youth represented here, and we also take our oath never to betray the Congo by serving its ideals and participating in the construction and reconstruction of our beautiful country. Because he told us, “the future of the Congo is bright,” » said Balufu Bakupa, CEO of Culture and Arts for Central African countries: « Today, our Russian comrades have also come to express their gratitude to you. They are at the head of the largest university in Russia, which bears the name of our national hero. We present these flowers to you as a token of our loyalty, » added the speaker.  For Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of the Peoples’ Friendship University (formerly Patrice Emery Lumumba University), this centenary is also an opportunity to celebrate the sixty-fifth anniversary of this higher education institution in  Moscow, Russia.  « July 2^nd is not only the day that marks the centenary of Patrice Émery Lumumba, but also the 65th anniversary of Patrice Émery Lumumba University. I can assure you that our university is honoured to bear the name of Patrice Lumumba, your compatriot. Our university’s motto is very interesting. We say: we are different, we are equal, but we are leaders, » said the rector.« For me, it is a great honor to lead the delegation from the university named after an eminent person, Patrice Émery Lumumba. I would like to mention that this alma mater, which bears the name of your compatriot, is one of the largest and strongest universities in Russia and in the whole world, » he continued.  In addition, the delegation from the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples announced scientific, cultural and educational cooperation for Congolese youth «So, as a priority, of course, it is at the level of education and culture that there will be exchanges between students and professors. We will promote Russian language and culture centres, and we will open them at the University of Kinshasa. And that is the first agreement we will discuss and sign today. I am completely convinced that scientific, cultural and educational cooperation between young people will provide a very solid foundation for cooperation between the two countries, » said Oleg Yastrebov.  The Russian University of Friendship of Peoples for scientific, cultural and educational cooperation in the DRCIn addition, the delegation from the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples (formerly Patrice Lumumba) announced scientific, cultural and educational cooperation between Kinshasa and Moscow through university exchanges, Russian language training and joint initiatives in the fields of science and culture.« So, as a priority, of course, it is in the areas of education and culture that there will be exchanges between students and teachers. We are going to promote Russian language and culture centres, and we are going to open them at the University of Kinshasa. And that is the first agreement that we are going to discuss and sign today. I am completely convinced that scientific, cultural and educational cooperation between young people will provide a very solid foundation for cooperation between the two countries, » said Oleg Yastrebov.A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Patrice Emery Lumumba’s mausoleum on Wednesday to mark his 100th birthday, organized by the Central African Cultural and Artistic Centre and the Russian delegation from the university named after him in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Born on July 2^nd, 1925 in Onalua (Belgian Congo), a town located in the province of Sankuru in the Centre of the DRC, Patrice Emery Lumumba was assassinated on January 17^th, 1961 in Katanga. He was Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo from June 30^th to September 12^th, 1960. Lumumba is an iconic figure in the struggle for African independence and Pan-Africanism.