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A note to listeners.

This episode is set during the end of colonial rule in Africa and contains some historically racist language.

November 1960, Leopoldville, the capital city of the Republic of Congo.

In his grand colonial villa, Patrice Lumumba, gazes out the window and soothes his two-year-old son, Roland Gilbert,

to sleep with a traditional Congolese lullaby.

Lumumba is a tall man with a neatly trimmed mustache and goaty beard.

A few weeks ago, he was Congo's prime minister, but then the CIA and MI6 engineered a coup that removed him from power. Now he's trapped here under

house arrest. Through the window, he sees storm clouds rolling in off the distant mountains.

Lightning flashes against the darkening sky. Then his gaze shifts down

to the Congolese soldiers surrounding his home. They're not here to protect him, but to keep him prisoner.

Lumumba looks up. One of his aides is at the doorway and he looks distressed.

What is it? Sir, it's confirmed. The United Nations has voted to recognise the new regime.

Lumumba's body slumps at the news. The only reason he's not dead or in prison is because of the UN

peacekeepers guarding his home.

But now that the UN no longer regards him as Congo's rightful leader,

that protection will soon be gone.

The aid clasps Lumumba's arm.

Sir, we've got to get you out of here.

Without the UN guarding you, you'll be arrested.

This storm is ideal cover.

We have to move now.

...