 Ideologically an African nationalist and pan-Africanist, he led the Congolese National Movement (MNC) party from 1958 until his assassination.Shortly after Congolese independence in 1960, a mutiny broke out in the army, marking the beginning of the Congo Crisis.Lumumba appealed to the United States and the United Nations for help to suppress the Belgian-supported Katangan secessionists led by Moise Tshombe.