The Lumumba Plot

The Lumumba Plot by Stuart A. Reid is an electrifying work of history that intricately unravels a clandestine Cold War operation. This spellbinding narrative exposes the U.S.-sanctioned conspiracy to assassinate Patrice Lumumba, the democratically elected leader of the newly independent Congo. The plot unfolds with the tension and intensity of a spy thriller, meticulously detailing the international machinations that led to Lumumba’s tragic demise.

Hailed as a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by esteemed publications such as The New Yorker, The Economist, and Financial Times, The Lumumba Plot is also a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice.

"This is one of the best books I have read in years... gripping, full of colorful characters, and strange plot twists." - Fareed Zakaria, CNN host

The narrative is set against a backdrop of monumental change and turbulent unrest. As the Congo celebrates its liberation from Belgian colonial rule in 1960, optimism quickly dissipates into chaos. At the helm of the nascent nation is the charismatic nationalist, Patrice Lumumba, whose vision for a free and united Congo faces an immediate crisis. The country’s newfound independence is soon marred by a mutiny within its army, prompting an intervention by Belgian forces. In desperation, Lumumba seeks assistance from the United Nations, leading to the deployment of the largest peacekeeping mission in the world’s history—yet stability remains elusive.

As Lumumba’s appeals for aid are rebuffed by the United States, his overtures to the Soviet Union ignite fears of communist expansion within the CIA. The agency swiftly instructs its station chief in Congo, Larry Devlin: Lumumba must be eliminated. What ensues is a fraught and complex plot. Although the CIA’s direct attempts to murder Lumumba fail, he is ultimately toppled in a coup supported by the CIA. Transferred to hostile forces, Lumumba meets his end at the hands of Congolese assassins.

But the tragedy does not end with Lumumba’s assassination. Dag Hammarskjöld, the diligent UN Secretary-General, dies under mysterious circumstances in a plane crash while en route to negotiate a ceasefire in the Congo's rebellious southeast. Meanwhile, Joseph Mobutu, an ambitious military officer who once pledged loyalty to Lumumba, seizes power with substantial backing from the U.S., ushering in decades of oppressive rule.

The Lumumba Plot is more than a recitation of historical events; it is a poignant exploration of the geopolitical chess game that manipulated the destiny of a nation. For the Congolese, the events of 1960-61 marked the commencement of prolonged suffering. For the United States, they formulated a blueprint for future interventions. Through Reid’s engaging prose, readers are given a rare glimpse into the shadows of international relations and the profound consequences of foreign policy decisions.

This meticulously researched account is indispensable for history enthusiasts, political scholars, and anyone fascinated by the clandestine operations that shaped the Cold War era. It is a compelling reminder of the impacts wrought by global power plays on emerging nations.