Belgium agrees to grant the Belgian Congo independence, setting a date of 30 June 1960, with elections to be held in May.[1]
20 February
Following a month-long conference in Brussels, Belgium, the date of 30 June is set for granting independence to its African colony of the Belgian Congo. Under an agreement between the Belgian government and Congolese leaders, elections would be held on 16 May for provincial legislatures and a 137-member national Chamber of Representatives, and the provinces would then select a Senate.[2]
25 May
Fifteen days of voting, for a 137-member Chamber of Deputies, conclude in the Belgian Congo, as the nation prepared for independence. Patrice Lumumba's National Congolese Movement won a plurality of seats, with 36.[3]
