The story begins at the peak of the Cold War in 1961, at the UN headquarters in New York City. The charismatic diplomat and economist Dag Hammarskjöld has reached the pinnacle of his power, serving as Secretary-General of the United Nations for the seventh year. After decolonisation, he takes it upon himself to bring peace to the African countries, thwarting powerful entrepreneurs’ and world leaders’ plans to further exploit resources. When UN peacekeepers are killed in open battle in the Congo, Hammarskjöld sees no other way than to use new means of enforcement, leading UN troops into their first wartime operation. Well aware that his enemies might gather to plot against him, he boards a plane in a final, desperate attempt to negotiate a ceasefire.
