At every Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) match during the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a peculiar figure appears in the stands. Dressed in a sharp suit, he stands rigidly, his right arm slightly raised, his gaze fixed and unwavering. He remains motionless for the entire ninety minutes.
He doesn’t shout, cheer, or applaud. Even when the DRC scores, as thousands erupt in joyous celebration, he stands like a statue. And when his team concedes a goal, while others groan in disappointment, he remains impassive.
His name is Michel Koka Mbuladinga, and his posture is far from random. It’s a precise imitation of Patrice Lumumba, the DRC’s first prime minister and a national hero assassinated in 1961. But this is no ordinary fan. This is a calculated act of remembrance and a pointed accusation.
While some Moroccans laugh, take selfies with him, and share his image on social media, mistaking him for a mere attention-seeker, Koka’s message is profound. He’s not there simply to support his team. He’s there to remind Morocco of a crime buried for decades. He’s there to deliver a chilling message: “We have not forgotten your betrayal.”
Why Morocco? This is the crucial question. Koka has been performing this silent tribute since 2013, embodying Lumumba at every DRC tournament. However, his image only gained global traction now, in Morocco. Why? Because Morocco is not just a host nation. It is, according to Koka, the country that betrayed Lumumba.
DZWatch understands that Koka believes Morocco played a role in Lumumba’s downfall and provided refuge to his alleged killers. The presence of Mobutu Sese Seko’s grave in Morocco further fuels this sentiment. Many Moroccans, however, remain unaware of this historical context.
Patrice Lumumba: A Hero Betrayed? Lumumba was more than just a politician; he was a pan-African visionary. A charismatic young man in his thirties, he was a staunch anti-colonialist who dreamed of a free, independent, and democratic Congo, liberated from European exploitation. On June 30, 1960, the DRC gained independence from Belgium. Lumumba won the elections and became the country’s first democratically elected prime minister. His independence day speech, however, was a scathing indictment of colonialism.
Koka’s unwavering presence serves as a potent reminder of a complex and controversial chapter in African history, forcing a reckoning with the past on Moroccan soil.
