**Belgian Ex-Diplomat to Face Trial over Patrice Lumumba's Assassination** In a significant development, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat, Etienne Davignon, has been ordered to stand trial by a Brussels court over his alleged involvement in the assassination of Congo's first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, in 1961. Lumumba, a prominent anti-colonial leader, was ousted from power just months after Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960. He was later killed by a rebel group backed by the Belgian government. This trial marks a major milestone in a long-standing case of alleged war crimes and human rights abuses committed during the Congo crisis. In 2002, a Belgian parliamentary investigation found that the country bore "moral responsibility" for Lumumba's death. Now, Davignon, who was a junior diplomat at the time, will face the courts for his alleged role in Lumumba's murder, as well as the deaths of two of Lumumba's allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito. As a former European commissioner, Davignon is accused of participating in the unlawful detention and transfer of Lumumba, as well as subjecting him to humiliating and degrading treatment. If convicted, he would be the first Belgian official to face trial in 65 years. Notably, Davignon is the only surviving suspect among the 10 Belgians accused of complicity in Lumumba's murder. Lumumba's family, led by his granddaughter Yema, have been pushing for justice and accountability for decades. The family's lawyer, Christophe Marchand, has welcomed the trial as a "step in the right direction" towards uncovering the truth and establishing responsibility. This case has significant implications for Nigeria, given the country's own experiences with colonialism and its legacy of human rights abuses. The trial serves as a reminder of the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions, even decades after the fact. As Nigeria continues to navigate its own complex history, this case offers a powerful lesson in the need for truth, justice, and accountability. The trial of Etienne Davignon is a significant step towards closure for Lumumba's family and a chance for Belgium to reckon with its complicated past.