A Season in the Congo

by Aimé Césaire

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"A Season in the Congo" is Time Cesaire's 1966 play tackling the intense turbulence following Congolese independence. Cesaire explores the tracks of decolonization through the eyes of the real figure Patrice Lumumba, who went from beer seller/ political activist to prime minister within five years. His assassination after only three months of leadership is something the country is still affected by, decades later. Cesaire depicts him as almost hopelessly optimistic as he fights to end all Belgian influence in his country. In the play, Lumumba's old friend Mokutu becomes the villain; although Lumumbu promotes him to control the country's military power in faith, Mukutu betrays him and his country for personal gain. Belgians plot to overthrow Lumumbu's elected government by funding a civil war with the help of Mukutu. The United Nations refuses to intervene because Lumumbu cannot prove that Belgium has intervened, and therefore it is not an international conflict. In desperation (and a move that is still contested today) Lumumbu flies to the Soviet Union to request military aid.

The greater machinations of the struggle for power in Africa between the Soviet Union and United States is a major theme in the play, and eventually Lumumbu refuses to meet with a UN diplomat because he recognizes the diplomat's loyalty to the US. The UN eventually deserts Lumumbu to his fate in the rapidly crumbling situation in the Congo, and Mukutu orders Lumumbu to be executed. The play ends on a cynical note, with Mukutu ordering his soldiers to fire on the Congolese citizens protesting the death of Lumumbu.

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