The Kongo Kingdom and the hidden Holocaust

The Kongo Kingdom and the hidden Holocaust.

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From 1885 -1908 Leopold II used his army to coerce natives of Congo into forced labor, Armed with modern weapons army of mercenaries routinely tortured hostages, slaughtered entire families, raped Congolese killing 15 million people.

Before the Belgians arrived or invaded Congo, the Kongo Kingdom was a well established kingdom with several civilization.

In 1876 Leopold II established the International African Association which would serve as a front organization, perpetuating humanitarian and altruistic projects, but in reality, it was just a cover used by Belgium king to colonize a large part of Central Africa.

Leopold II used explorer Henry Morton Stanley to lay claim on the area of the modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo. He would name the area Congo Free State.

Belgian government lent money for Leopold’s activities in Congo. Consequently, Leopold personally owned a colony.

What happened next was a far cry from official stories of altruism and humanitarian efforts Leopold’s propaganda was spreading across Europe.

In order to repay a debt to the Belgian government and gain personal wealth, the administration of Congo aimed towards extracting as much money as possible from the colony.

Leopold II established his own private army of mercenaries— Force Publique. He used his army to coerce natives of Congo into forced labor. Armed with modern weapons army of mercenaries routinely tortured hostages, slaughtered entire families, and raped Congolese people.

In the beginning, the main source of income was ivory. But when demand for rubber increased, Leopold turned his attention to the collection of sap from rubber plants. Natural rubber is collected by tapping the bark with a small hatchet. The position and depth of cuts is vital, done wrongly it can stop growth or even kill a tree. Tree drips latex for about four hours, stopping as latex coagulates naturally. Tappers usually start working in the morning and collect the liquid at midday.

However, in Congo, we can find species of liana plants (Landolphia owariensis) which also produces rubber. These lianas were found in the jungle. Natives were severely punished if they didn’t meet production quotas.

A common approach was to mutilate children in case their parents didn’t collect enough rubber. Soldiers often came back from raids with baskets full of chopped-off hands. Villages that resisted were destroyed entirely. Since men were forced to collect rubber no one was farming.

Consequently, a huge number of people died from famine. Leopold II sanctioned the collection of child colonies. Congolese children were kidnapped and sent to schools to learn how to work or be soldiers. Most of them died of disease and forced marches.

Missionaries were seen taking pictures and using Christianity to justify Leopold II killings.

Belgian government learned about atrocities, they forced Leopold II to cede control of Congo in 1908.

Till date the memory remain in Congo as the people are now subjected to poverty.