Congo gains its independence from Belgium

The colonization of Congo was precipitated by the persistently violent and cunning efforts of King Leopold II as well as the European explorer, Henry Morton Stanley. [i] By 1884-5 as evidenced by the Berlin West Africa Conference, European states recognized Leopold as the sovereign ruler over the demarcated “Congo Free State” region. [ii] However, the atrocities committed to the people in the Congo were so immense and severe that the international outcry could not be ignored, and Belgium took over the region from 1908-1960 with a highly paternal state of governance. [iii] There was no legislation and chiefs were used to recruit labour and collect taxes. [iv] The people engaged in acts of resistance throughout this period and were met with further suppression. [v] With the decolonization movement sweeping through the continent, the resistance movement in Congo also gained momentum. With the break-out of riots and the threatening fear of a violent overthrow the Belgians unexpectedly decided to withdraw and grant Congo its independence. [vi]

Joseph Kasavubu became president over the Republic of the Congo with Patrice Lumumba as Prime Minister. However, the new nation was soon embroiled in a civil war that resulted in the assassination of Lumumba. The conflict was exacerbated by the Cold War and by Belgium’s interference.

Endnotes

[i] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Congo Free State”, Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed 14 July 2018, https://www.britannica.com/place/Congo-Free-State. ↵

[ii] Ibid ↵

[iii] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Belgian Congo”, Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed 14 July 2018, https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgian-Congo. ↵

[iv] Ibid ↵

[v] Ibid ↵

[vi] Ibid ↵