The first Prime Minister of the DRC, Patrice Lumumba, declares martial law in Katanga

The first Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Patrice Lumumba declared martial law in the Katanga region of the Congo as a result of the continuing secession crisis. The Katanga secession occurred shortly after DR Congo gained independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960.  On 4 July 1960 soldiers rebelled against the DRC government. Lumumba called for the assistance of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) to restore order and expel the Belgians but was not successful. Later disgruntled with the UNO he obtained Russian aid that caused much bloodshed by leading the soldiers through the Southern Kasai. DRC President, Kasavubu dismissed Lumumba and he in turn dismissed Kasavubu. In October 1960 Lumumba was placed under house arrest. He escaped to Kasai at the end of November 1960 and was captured. On 1 December he was imprisoned at Thysville. On 17 January 1961 he was flown to Elisabethville in Katanga where on 13 February 1961 it was announced that he was shot and killed while trying to escape.