However, in 1960, a growing nationalist movement led to a pressure to gain independence from Belgium. Patrice Lumumba won parliamentary elections and became prime minister, and Joseph Kasa Vubu became president. The country gained independence on the 31th June 1960. All Belgians fled the country, leaving the administration to a Congolese Elite. This began a period of political conflict known as the Congo crisis. Lumumba was arrested, then assassinated. On the other hand, Joseph Mobutu, the chief of staff of the Congolese army organized two coup d’états; the second one was a success. Once in power, Mobutu formed an authoritarian Regime, attempting to purge the country from any colonial influence by starting a pro-African and Congolese cultural