After the riots of 4 January 1959 Belgian leaders became increasingly fearful of a violent political conflict emerging in the Congo.
The security situation in the country deteriorated over the course of the year, especially in the Lower Congo and in Kasai, where violent clashes between Baluba and Lulua were taking place.
Fearing the degeneration of the unrest into a colonial war and facing intense pressure for reform, in late 1959 the Belgian government announced that it would host a round table conference in Brussels in 1960 with the Congolese leadership to discuss the political future of the country.

On the eve of the conference the Congolese delegations banded into a "Common Front" and demanded that all decisions be made binding on the Belgian government and that the Congo be granted immediate independence.
The conference formally opened on 20 January.
In the first speech, the Belgian Prime Minister assured that the Congo would be granted independence but did not specify a date.
Serious negotiations did not commence until the following day.
Kasa-Vubu demanded that a Congolese government be formed immediately, but his request was denied.
Disagreements between him and the Belgians over the competence of the conference led to the former walking out during the negotiations.
It was then suggested that the date of independence be discussed.
Lumumba, meanwhile, was released from prison and flew to Brussels to participate in the conference.
On 27 January he made his first appearance and voiced his support for independence.
After some discussion the Common Front accepted the date of 30 June 1960 for sovereignty to be granted to the Congo.
The decisions of the delegates were ratified in a series of resolutions on 19 February and the conference closed the following day.
After the riots of 4 January 1959 Belgian leaders became increasingly fearful of a violent political conflict emerging in the Congo. The security situation in the country deteriorated over the course of the year, especially in the Lower Congo and in Kasai, where violent clashes between Baluba and Lulua were taking place. Fearing the degeneration of the unrest into a colonial war and facing intense pressure for reform, in late 1959 the Belgian government announced that it would host a round table conference in Brussels in 1960 with the Congolese leadership to discuss the political future of the country.
On the eve of the conference the Congolese delegations banded into a "Common Front" and demanded that all decisions be made binding on the Belgian government and that the Congo be granted immediate independence. The conference formally opened on 20 January. In the first speech, the Belgian Prime Minister assured that the Congo would be granted independence but did not specify a date. Serious negotiations did not commence until the following day. Kasa-Vubu demanded that a Congolese government be formed immediately, but his request was denied. Disagreements between him and the Belgians over the competence of the conference led to the former walking out during the negotiations. It was then suggested that the date of independence be discussed. Lumumba, meanwhile, was released from prison and flew to Brussels to participate in the conference. On 27 January he made his first appearance and voiced his support for independence. After some discussion the Common Front accepted the date of 30 June 1960 for sovereignty to be granted to the Congo. The decisions of the delegates were ratified in a series of resolutions on 19 February and the conference closed the following day.
1960 Belgian Congo general election