By: Noah Fishman

President Tshombe’s Interior Minister told the world that Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and two companions have been killed in the Kolwezi region of the Republic of Congo in a speech this morning, but would not provide an exact location. 

The Interior Minister made it clear that the men were identified beyond a reasonable doubt and have been buried in an undisclosed location. After receiving this news, the United Nations Historical Security Council of 1961 (UNHSC 1961) launched into a 30 minute consultative session, following the motion’s unanimous passing. 

Lumumba’s death has the potential to affect the letter which the UNHSC of 1961 just sent out to Katanga, Stanleyville and Leopoldville to hold peace talks in Zanzibar. “We should be concerned about still being able to bring every party to the table,” said Representative Dustin Ramsey of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. “We may not be able to get all parties to the table, if we need to make other arrangements the sooner we know that the better. The political landscape has shifted drastically since his death.”

“I’m going to respectfully disagree,” said Representative Casey Hakim of the United Kingdom, stating that the lack of military change made Lumumba’s death less significant. “He [Lumumba] was more of a political figure who was a politician. His memory will continue to inspire the soldiers of his faction, this could further galvanize them. We have sent the letter, let us rest on that letter.”

France also brought up how unlikely it was that Lumumba escaped a prison which the Katangan government stressed was highly secure, suggesting that this was instead a killing masquerading as a prison break.

Time will tell how the committee will adapt to the news, but the landscape they stand on is shifting.