A COURT in Brussels ordered the trial of a former diplomat on Tuesday for involvement in the murder of Patrice Lumumba in 1961.

The court said 93-year-old Ettienne Davignon, the only surviving Belgian citizen accused of the murder by the Lumumba family, must face charges of “participation in war crimes.”

The charge alleges that Mr Davignon was involved in the illegal detention, transfer and degrading treatment of the legendary Congolese independence leader, prior to his execution.

Lumumba’s grandson Mehdi said the ruling represented a “historic moment for justice” and Belgium, the former colonial ruler, was “finally facing its history.”

Belgian prosecutors argue that Mr Davignon, then a low-ranking diplomat, played a role in the chain of events that led to the murder of Lumumba.

Mr Davignon denies the accusations and his defence team argue the passage of time weakens the case against their client.

Belgium has faced increasing pressure to address its involvement in Lumumba’s assassination and the crimes committed during its colonial rule.

Lumumba was elected as the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo after its independence in 1960.

But he was soon overthrown by a coup backed by Belgium and the United States.

He was executed on January 17 1961 in the Katanga region by Belgian-backed forces. His body was then dissolved in acid.

A significant finding of the investigation was the recovery of a tooth belonging to Lumumba, the only known remains of his body, preserved by the family of a Belgian police officer who was involved.

Belgian authorities returned the remains to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 2022 ceremony, where then-prime minister Alexander De Croo apologised over Belgium’s “moral responsibility” for the murder.