In this episode of Long Story Short, host Liwa delves into the atrocities committed in the Congo Free State during the reign of King Leopold II of Belgium. The episode begins with a reflection on the saying "If you throw a stone in a river, you don’t know where the ripples would reach or end," emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of actions.
Liwa takes us back to the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, where European powers divided Africa for their own interests. The Congo Free State was established during this conference and granted to King Leopold II as his personal possession. The vast territory, exceeding 2.6 million square kilometers, became a source of exploitation, particularly for rubber.
However, the labor policies implemented to extract rubber were brutal, involving forced labor and violent coercion by the state's military force, the Force Publique. Workers who refused to collect rubber were killed, and entire villages were destroyed. The soldiers accounted for each bullet fired by severing the hands of workers. These policies had a devastating impact on the Congolese population, leading to a decline estimated between 1.5 million to 13 million due to disease, famine, violence, and social disruption.
Christian missionaries working in the region exposed the atrocities to the international community, causing outrage. The campaign against the Congo Free State gained momentum under the leadership of British activist E. D. Morel. Eventually, in 1908, under international pressure, the Belgian government annexed the Congo Free State and put an end to many of the abusive systems.
The episode highlights the ongoing effects of Belgian colonization in the Congo. Decades of dictatorship, civil war, and economic decline have left the region struggling with extreme poverty, political instability, and conflict. Liwa mentions that while King Philippe of Belgium expressed regret for the "acts of violence and cruelty" during the Congo Free State's rule in 2020, some activists argue that a full and proper apology has not been made to the Congolese people.
In conclusion, the atrocities committed in the Congo Free State under King Leopold II's reign were a dark chapter in Congolese history, with long-lasting effects. The legacy of Belgian colonization continues to impact the country today, and it is crucial to acknowledge and address the ongoing issues faced by the Congolese people.