Belgian Congo

Belgian Congo

colony, former administrative territorial entity

Part of	Belgian colonial empire, European colonies in Africa
Year dem found am	15 November 1908
Native label	Congo belge, Belgisch-Kongo
Religion anaa worldview	Catholic Church
Official language	French, Dutch
Continent	Africa
Country	Belgian colonial empire
Capital	Kinshasa, Boma
Coordinate location	4°18′24″S 15°16′49″E
Government ein basic form	colony
Currency	Congolese franc
Dey replace	Congo Free State
Language dem use	French, Dutch
Date dem dissolve, abolish anaa demolish	30 June 1960
Category for maps or plans	Category:Maps of Belgian Congo

De Belgian Congo (French: Congo belge, pronounced [kɔ̃ɡo bɛlʒ]; Dutch: Belgisch-Congo) na e be a Belgian colony insyd Central Africa from 1908 til independence insyd 1960 wey e cam turn de Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville). Na de former colony adopt ein present name, de Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), insyd 1964.

Na colonial rule insyd de Congo begin insyd de late 19th century. Na King Leopold II of de Belgians attempt make he persuade de Belgian government make dem support colonial expansion around de then-largely unexploited Congo Basin. Na dema ambivalence result insyd Leopold establish a colony einself. Plus support from a number of Western countries, na Leopold achieve international recognition of de Congo Free State insyd 1885. By de turn of de century, na de violence used by Free State officials against indigenous Congolese den a ruthless system of economic exploitation lead to intense diplomatic pressure for Belgium top make e take official control of de country, wich na e do by creating de Belgian Congo insyd 1908.

Na Belgian rule insyd de Congo be based for de "colonial trinity" (trinité coloniale) of state, missionary den private-company interests. Na de privileging of Belgian commercial interests mean say na large amounts of capital flow into de Congo den dat individual regions cam be specialised. For chaw occasions, de interests of de government den of private enterprise cam be closely linked, wey de state help companies make dem break strikes den make dem komot barriers wey be raised by de indigenous population. Na dem divide de colony into hierarchically organised administrative subdivisions wey dey run uniformly according to a set "native policy" (politique indigène). Na dis differ from de practice of British den French colonial policy, wich na e generally favour systems of indirect rule, wey dey retain traditional leaders insyd positions of authority under colonial oversight.

During de 1940s den 1950s, na de Belgian Congo experience extensive urbanisation wey de colonial administration begin various development programs wey be aimed at make dem make de territory into a "model colony". Na one result see de development of a new middle-class of Europeanised African "évolués" insyd de cities. By de 1950s, na de Congo get a wage labour force twice as large as dat insyd any oda African colony.

Insyd 1960, as de result of a widespread den increasingly radical pro-independence movement, na de Belgian Congo achieve independence, wey e cam turn de Republic of the Congo under Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba den Presido Joseph Kasa-Vubu. Na poor relations between political factions within de Congo, de continued involvement of Belgium insyd Congolese affairs, den de intervention by major parties (mainly de United States den de Soviet Union) during de Cold War lead to a five-year-long period of war den political instability, dem know as de Congo Crisis, from 1960 to 1965. Na dis end plus de seizure of power by Joseph-Désiré Mobutu insyd November 1964.

Congo Free State

Leopold II, King of the Belgians plus de facto owner of de Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908

Children mutilated during King Leopold II's rule

Until late 19th century, few oyibo people don waka inside Congo Basin. The rainforest, swamps, plus malaria and other tropical sickness dem, like sleeping sickness, make am tough for oyibo to explore and chop area. For 1876, King Leopold II wey be from Belgium organize International African Association with help from top African explorers and some oyibo governments to promote exploration and colonization of Africa. After Henry Morton Stanley don explore the area where e end for 1878, Leopold dey try wetin go fit help him interes insyde de region.

Leopold II dey craze to get colony for Belgium even before e become king for 1865. But the Belgian government no dey pay attention to wetin him dey dream for empire. E be ambitious and stubborn, so Leopold decide say him go handle am by himsef.

European dem no dey gree for Central Africa, wahala plenty, especially for Congo Basin wey nobody don claim. For November 1884, Otto von Bismarck call 14 nation dem come meet (na di Berlin Conference) to find way wey go fit solve di Congo matter. Although di Berlin Conference no really talk say di European dem fit claim territory for Central Africa, dem agree on some rules to make sure say dem no go fight over di land. Di rules talk say Congo Basin na free-trade zone. But Leopold II collect plenty win for di Berlin Conference, plus him one-man 'philanthropic' organization carry large area (2,344,000 km2) make dem fit run am as Congo Free State.

Congo Free State be like corporate state wey no be government matter, na Leopold II dey control am through some NGO wey dem call International African Association. Dis state cover everywhere wey we dey call Democratic Republic of the Congo today, e dey run from 1885 to 1908, when Belgium government go hold am tight. Under Leopold II, Congo Free State turn humanitarian wahala. Because dem no fit collect proper records, e dey hard to sabi how many people die from all di exploitation and di new diseases wey European colonists bring come, like di 1889–1890 flu wey carry plenty people go grave for Europe, even Prince Baudouin of Belgium die for 1891. William Rubinstein talk say: 'E clear say di population figures wey Hochschild talk no correct. Nobody fit sabi di population of Congo before di twentieth century, estimates like 20 million be just guesswork. Most of Congo inside be like wilderness wey nobody don discover, if e no dey hard to reach.' Leopold's Force Publique be private army wey dey use fear spoil native people to make dem work hard for resource wey dem go take chop. Dem dey scatter local communities, kill and abuse natives anyhow. The Force Publique sef join for Congo–Arab War to fight against African and Arab slavers like that Zanzibari/Swahili strongman, Tippu Tip.

After 1904 Casement Report show wetin dey happen for Congo, European press (including British) and American press make everybody sabi di wahala wey dey for Congo Free State for early 1900s. For 1904, dem force Leopold II allow international parliamentary commission enter Congo Free State. By 1908, as people dey push plus di politics dey turn, Leopold II reign come end den dem join Congo as Belgium colony, dem dey call am "Belgian Congo".

Belgian Congo

Former residence of de Governor-General of the Belgian Congo (1908–1923) located insyde Boma

For 18 October 1908, Belgian Parliament gree say dem go annex Congo as Belgian colony. Plenty socialist and radicals no gree for dis annexation, but dem dey chop electoral gains from their anti-colonial wahala. Some sabi say dem suppose annex Congo to help the people. In the end, two Catholic MPs and half of Liberal MPs join the socialists to reject Colonial Charter (forty-eight votes no), while nearly all Catholics and di other half of Liberal MPs approve di charter (ninety votes yes and seven no participation). So, on 15 November 1908, Belgian Congo turn colony for Belgian Kingdom. Dis one happen after King Leopold II don see say e no fit keep big part of Congo outside government control as e dey try hold some of Congo Free State as im own crown property.

When Belgium take charge in 1908, some things for Congo begin dey better small. Dem stop some of the wicked things wey some companies dey do, like violence and all dat kind wahala. 'Red rubber' crime come end too. Article 3 for the new Colonial Charter wey drop on 18 October 1908 talk say: 'Nobody fit force you make you work for companies or rich people', but them no follow am. Belgium government still dey put forced labour on the local people, but dem dey do am for back small.

Di change wey happen from Congo Free State to Belgian Congo na big turn, but e still get plenty things wey remain the same. Di last Governor-General of Congo Free State, Baron Wahis, still dey run tings for Belgian Congo, plus most of Leopold II administration still dey work with am. E true say conditions jom small since dem no get King Leopold anymore, but doctors like Dr. Raingeard talk say di Belgian government no really care about healthcare and basic education for di locals. Dem still dey focus on opening Congo and im natural and mineral wealth for di Belgian economy, na dat be di main reason for colonial expansion.

Government

On de left hand side, de former Ministry of de Colonies, adjacent to de Constitutional Court, Brussels

Di governance for Belgian Congo dey follow di 1908 Colonial Charter. Executive power dey for di hands of Belgian Minister of Colonial Affairs, wey get help from Colonial Council (Conseil Colonial). Dem dey for Brussels. Di Belgian Parliament dey run di legislative authority over de Belgian Congo.

Map wey dey show Belgian Congo wey dem publish for 1930s

De top man wey dey run colonial admin for Belgian Congo na di Governor-General. From 1886 reach 1926, di Governor-General and him crew dey live for Boma, near di Congo river mouth. But from 1923, dem shift di colonial capital go Léopoldville, about 300 km further insyde. At first, di Belgian Congo divide into four provinces: Congo-Kasaï, Equateur, Orientale, and Katanga, wey each get im own Vice-Governor-General. But for 1932, dem change di setup, increase di provinces to six, and dem carry di Vice-Governors-General comot from dia position.

Belgians residing in the Belgian Congo, 1900–1959

Year	Pop.	±%
1900	1,187	—
1910	1,928	+62.4%
1920	3,615	+87.5%
1930	17,676	+389.0%
1939	17,536	−0.8%
1950	39,006	+122.4%
1955	69,813	+79.0%
1959	88,913	+27.4%
Source:

Di territorial service na di true backbone of colonial administration. Di colony divide into four provinces (six after 1933 reforms). Each province get some districts (24 districts for di whole Congo) and each district get small territories (like 130–150 territories total; some territories dey merge or split as time dey go). One territorial administrator dey manage one territory, him get one or more assistants wey dey help am. Di territories self dey further divide into plenty 'chiefdoms' (chefferies), and di Belgian admin go appoint 'traditional chiefs' (chefs coutumiers) to lead dem. Di territories wey one administrator and few assistants dey manage go bigger pass some Belgian provinces combined (di whole Belgian Congo dey nearly 80 times bigger than Belgium and e dey about twice di size of Germany and France combined). Di territorial administrator suppose dey inspect him territory and file detailed annual reports to di provincial administration.

For legal matter, two system dey run: one na European courts, the other na indigenous courts (tribunaux indigènes). Dem indigenous courts dey run by traditional chiefs, but dem fit no do plenty things as e dey under colonial control. For 1936, dem talk say 728 administrators dey manage Congo from Belgium. Belgians wey dey for Congo no fit talk for government matter and Congolese sef no get voice. No political wahala dey allowed for Congo at all. Public order for colony na by Force Publique, wey be army wey dem recruit locally but na Belgian dey run am. Na only for 1950s, metropolitan troops—be like regular Belgian army—come dey show for Belgian Congo (like for Kamina).

Dem colonial people—any white man wey dey control Congo—di Congolese sabi call am bula matari (“break rocks”), na one name wey dem give Stanley first. E use dynamite break rocks as e dey waka for lower-Congo side. Di term bula matari come mean di strong and powerful force of di colonial government.

International conflicts

De Force Publique insyde German East Africa for de time of World War I

Belgian Congo dey join fight for two world wars, oh. For World War I, wahala start as Force Publique face German colonial army for German East Africa (Tanganyika). Dem turn am for open war when Anglo-Belgian people invade German land for 1916 and 1917 during East African campaign. By 1916, the Belgian commander, Lieutenant-General Charles Tombeur, gather 15,000 men plus local bearers join am – Reybrouck talk say 260,000 local bearers dey work during de war. Dem waka go Kigali (now capital of Rwanda) and capture am by 6 May 1916. Dem continue go take Tabora (now for Tanzania) on 19 September after plenty fighting. By 1917, after dem don conquer Mahenge (now in Tanzania), Belgian Congo army, wey don grow to 25,000 men, dey occupy one-third of German East Africa.

After World War I, dem sign Treaty of Versailles, Germany hand over di western part of di old German East Africa to Belgium. Then Ruanda-Urundi dey become League of Nations area under Belgium control. Dis place no join Belgian Congo at all. Later, Ruanda-Urundi go gree stand as Rwanda and Burundi, and di Belgian side of German East Africa go link up with de nation of Tanganyika, later Tanzania don also follow.

During World War II, Belgian Congo be serious money source for Belgian government wey dey London after dem Nazis occupy Belgium. After Germans take Belgium in May 1940, Belgian Congo show say dem loyal to Belgian government wey dey London. Belgian Congo and Free Belgian forces join the war for Allied side for Battle of Britain with 28 pilots for RAF (squadron 349) and Royal South African Air Force (350 Squadron) plus insyde Africa too. Force Publique don participate for de Allied campaign insyde Africa. Belgian Congolese soldiers (with some Belgian officers) really fight Italian colonial army for East Africa, and dem win for Asosa, Bortaï and inside Saïo during Major-general Auguste-Eduard Gilliaert time for the second East African fight of 1940–1941. On 3 July 1941, di Italian soldiers (under General Pietro Gazzera) surrender when Force Publique cut dem off. One Congolese unit sef dey fight for Far East with di British army for di Burma campaign.

Economic policy

Di way dem dey chop Congo economy no be small matter. One big plan na to build railway make dem fit access di minerals and farm areas well well.

World War I

A steam boat arriving at Boma on de Congo River insyde 1912

Belgo-Congolese troops of de Force Publique after de Battle of Tabora, 19 September 1916

Rubber dey be main export for Belgian Congo, but e start fall for early 20th century from 77% of exports to just 15% as British colonies for Southeast Asia like British Malaya dey begin farm rubber. New resources start show up, especially copper mining for Katanga province. The Belgian company, Union Minière du Haut-Katanga, wey go take over copper mining, use direct rail line go sea for Beira. When World War I start, demand for copper increase, and production fly from 997 tons for 1911 to 27,462 tons for 1917, then drop again to 19,000 tons for 1920. Dem dey smelt copper for Lubumbashi. Before the war, copper go Germany; but the British buy all the copper wey dem produce during the war, and the money go to Belgian government for exile. Diamond an gold mining dey grow during di war. Di British company, Lever Bros., sabi expand di palm oil business well well, an dem produce cocoa, rice, an cotton increase too. New rail and steamship lines open so e fit carry di extra export traffic. During di First World War (1914–1918), dem bring dis 'mandatory cultivation' rule, wey dey force Congolese farmers grow some cash crops (cotton, coffee, groundnuts) wey dem go export. Di territorial administrators an state agronomists get di job to supervise an if need be, punish farmers wey no follow di mandatory cultivation wey dem no like.

Interbellum

Two different times wey dem invest for Congo economy area clear during Belgian rule be: the 1920s and the 1950s.

Ruandan migrant workers at de Kisanga mine insyde Katanga, ca. 1920

For 1921, Belgian government bring 300 million francs come loan for Belgian Congo, to support public projects wey go boom private companies for di colony. Dem also sell plenty government-owned companies wey dey work for di colony (like Kilo-Moto mines, La Société Nationale des transport fluviaux,..). After First World War, dem focus on better investments for transport (like di rail lines wey connect Matadi and Léopoldville, Elisabethville and Port Francqui). From 1920 to 1932, dem build 2,450 km of railroads. Di government heavy invest for harbour infrastructure for Boma, Matadi, Leopoldville and Coquilhatville too.Dem build electricity and water systems for the main cities. Airports dey plenty, and dem bring telephone line wey connect Brussels and Leopoldville. Government dey manage about 50% of the money wey go inside Belgian Congo investments; commercial companies dey take the other 50%. Mining industry, with Union Minière du Haut Katanga (U.M.H.K.) as big player, attract most private investments (copper and cobalt for Katanga, diamonds for Kasai, gold for Ituri). This one help the Belgian Société Générale to build big economic empire for the Belgian Congo. Private companies dey make plenty money, and e dey go for European and other international shareholders as dividends.

Railways and navigable waterways insyde de Belgian Congo

For that time wey economy dey shine, plenty young boys from Congo waka comot from dem poor village go look work for companies wey dey near city; Kinshasa population nearly double from 1920 to 1940, and Elizabethville grow from like 16,000 for 1923 to 33,000 for 1929. Dem dey carry people come work by proper recruitment companies (like Robert Williams & Co, Bourse du Travail Kasaï) plus some governmental recruiting offices (Office de Travail-Offitra,..).. For Katanga, main work people na seasonal migrants wey dey come from Tanganyika, Angola, Northern Rhodesia, and after 1926, some too dey come from Ruanda-Urundi.

For many cases, dis big labour migration spoil dem rural communities: plenty farmers don waka comot from dem villages, so na labour shortage dey for di areas. To fix dis wahala, di colonial government dey use maximum quota of 'able-bodied workers' wey dem fit recruit from every area for Belgian Congo. So, tens of thousands workers from plenty populated areas dey work for copper mines for di sparse south (Katanga). Even for agriculture, di colonial state force dem to rearrange production. Dem take over 'vacant lands' (land wey locals no dey use) and share am to European companies, individual white landowners (colons), or to di missions. Na so, dem build plenty plantation economy. Palm-oil production for Congo increase from 2,500 tons for 1914 to 9,000 tons for 1921, and to 230,000 tons for 1957. Cotton production too increase from 23,000 tons for 1932 to 127,000 for 1939.

Di way wey Africans dey work for capitalist colonial economy really help spread money for Belgian Congo. Dem wan make sure say na Congo people go develop dia own place, no be Belgian taxes. Colonial government need fit collect money taxes from Congo people, so e dey important make dem fit make money by selling wetin dem dey grow or di work dem dey do for di colonial setup.

Na propaganda leaflet wey Ministry of Colonies produce for early 1920s

De economic shine wey happen for 1920s make Belgian Congo dey shine as one of di top copper-ore producers for di whole world. For 1926 alone, Union Minière carry go export pass 80,000 tons of copper ore, plenty of am go for Hoboken for Belgium to process. For 1928, King Albert I waka go Congo to open di 'voie national' wey connect di Katanga mining area by rail (reach Port Francqui) and by boat (from Port Francqui go Léopoldville) to di Atlantic port of Matadi.

Great Depression

Di Great Depression wey happen for 1930s really wahala di Belgian Congo economy wey dey depend on export because international demand for raw materials and food come drop (for example, di price of peanuts fall from 1.25 francs to just 25 centimes). For some areas like Katanga wey dey mine, dem lose employment reach 70%. For di whole country, wage labour force decrease by 72,000 people and plenty of dem come go back to dem villages. For Leopoldville, population drop by 33% because of di labour migration. To make wetin dey happen for di countryside better, di colonial government start wetin dem call 'indigenous peasantry programme', wey dey support strong internal market wey no dey too depend on wetin happen for export, plus to fight di bad effects wey soil erosion and exhaustion dey cause because of di mandatory farming scheme. Dis policy start to dey implement well well for Congo after Second World War, by di colonial government. Di plan na to make indigenous agriculture beta by giving land to families and helping dem with government support like seeds, farming advice, fertilizer, den all dat. Di National Institute for Agronomic Study of Belgian Congo, wey start in 1934, with im big experimental fields and laboratories for Yangambe, play big role for crop selection and make agronomic research and know-how popular.

World War II

Main article: Belgian Congo in World War II

The majority of the uranium used in the Manhattan Project came from the Shinkolobwe mine.

Insyde World War II, production for industry plus farm work really jom up. The people for Congo carry the heavy load of the 'war effort' – like, through a reinforcement of de mandatory cultivation policy. After Japan take over Malaya (January 1942), Belgian Congo become big supplier of rubber for the Allies. Belgian Congo be one of di main places wey dey export uranium to US during World War II (and Cold War), especially from Shinkolobwe mine. Dis colony give di uranium wey dem use for Manhattan Project, including for di atomic bombs wey fall on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for 1945.

After World War II

Students insyde de Teaching laboratory, Medical School, Yakusu, c. 1930–1950

After World War II, di colonial state start dey active for di economy and social wahala for Belgian Congo. For 1949, di Belgian government launch one ambitious ten-year plan. E focus on house wey dem go build, energy supply, rural development plus health-care infrastructures. Dis ten-year plan bring strong economic growth for ten years, and for di first time, di Congolese begin see beta life big time. At di same time, di economy don expand and di number of Belgian people wey dey di country don double, from 39,000 for 1950 to over 88,000 by 1960.

For 1953, Belgium gree make Congolese fit buy plus sell demma own property wey dem name go dey for dem own. For 1950s, Congolese middle class start to show, small small at first, but e dey grow well well for main cities like Léopoldville, Elisabethville, Stanleyville, plus Luluabourg.

E be quick political progress wey African people dey push for di last years of di 1950s, e reach peak for di 1960 Belgian Congo general election.

Civilising mission

Scheutist missionary on tour insyde de neighbourhood of Léopoldville around 1920

Dem talk say colonization for Africa get reason, as e be like tribal war, cannibalism, human sacrifice, plus all dem 'primitive' things dey happen plenty. Dem fit use dat one as big reason say European culture go fit civilize dem. De wahala wey dem dey call civilizing mission for Congo dey follow economic and education progress like bread and butter. Dem want make people change to Catholic way, get basic Western education, and better healthcare. All dis na important things by dem self, but e also fit help turn wetin Europe people see as primitive society into Western capitalist way wey get workers wey dey strong, healthy, and sabi read and write so dem fit join the labor market. Some of the first big missions wey enter Africa na David Livingstone plus John M. Springer carry am during late 19th century to early 20th century.

Education

Education by de Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (c. 1930)

Di educational system na Catholic Church dey run am—as e be for di whole Belgium dat time—plus small small cases, by Protestant churches too. Di curricula dey show Christian and Western values. Even for 1948, 99.6% of di schools na Christian missions dey operate. Di local schools mostly focus on religion and some vocational skills. Children dey learn basic tings like reading, writing and small mathematics. Di Belgian Congo na one of di few African colonies wey dem dey teach local languages (Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili) for primary school. But still, di language policies and colonial rule dey work hand in hand, as dem dey prefer Lingala—which na semi-artificial language wey dem dey spread through di Force Publique—pass di more local (plus older) indigenous languages like Lomongo plus others. For 1940, children wey dey 6 to 14 years, na 12% dey go school, but by 1954, e don rise reach 37%, one of the highest for sub-Saharan Africa. Secondary and higher education for di local people no take happen until later for di colonial time. Small small, black pikin start dey enter European secondary schools from 1950. Di first university for Belgian Congo, di Catholic Jesuit Lovanium University, near Léopoldville, open to black plus white students for 1954. Before Lovanium start, di Catholic University of Louvain don dey run plenty higher education centres for Belgian Congo. Di Fomulac, wey be foundation for medical school, start for 1926 to train Congolese doctors and researchers wey sabi tropical medicine. For 1932, di Catholic University of Louvain don open Cadulac for Kisantu, wey focus on agricultural science plus na im lay foundation for wetin go later become Lovanium University. For 1956, dem establish state university for Elisabethville. But e no dey move fast; till end of 1950s, no Congolese don rise pass non-commissioned officer for Force Publique, plus no one don hold any big position for administration like head of bureau or territorial administrator.

For late 1950s, 42% of young pipo wey dey go school fit read and write, wey make Belgian Congo dey shine pass any country for Africa. For 1960, 1,773,340 students dey for school for Belgian Congo, 1,650,117 for primary school, 22,780 for post-primary school, 37,388 for secondary school and 1,445 for university and higher education. From dis 1,773,340 students, most of dem (1,359,118) dey for Catholic mission schools, 322,289 dey for Protestant mission schools and 68,729 dey for educational institutions wey government organize.

Health care

Nurses of de Union Minière du Haut-Katanga plus demma Congolese assistants, Élisabethville, 1918

Health care too dey supported by missions, but colonial state wan show interest small. For 1906, dem start Institute of Tropical Medicine for Brussels. This ITM dey among di top places wey train and do research for tropical medicine and how health care dey work for developing countries. Dem fit clear endemic sickness like sleeping sickness well well with serious campaigns. For 1925, medical missionary Dr. Arthur Lewis Piper be di first person wey carry tryparsamide, di drug from Rockefeller Foundation wey dey cure sleeping sickness, enter Congo. Di health-care system dey grow well well during colonial time, with plenty hospital beds dey available for di people, plus dem set up dispensaries for far away places. By 1960, di country get beta medical structure wey pass any other African nation for dat time. Belgian Congo get 3,000 health facilities, wey 380 be hospitals. Dem get 5.34 hospital beds for every 1000 people (1 for every 187 people). Dem make huge progress for di fight against endemic diseases; dem report sleeping sickness cases drop from 34,000 in 1931 to just 1,100 in 1959, mainly because dem clear tsetse fly for where plenty people dey. All Europeans plus Congolese wey dey for Belgian Congo do dem vaccine for polio, measles and yellow fever. Big big disease prevention programs dem start, wey dem wan make polio, leprosy and tuberculosis no dey again. For primary schools, dem run disease prevention campaigns, and dem include disease prevention class for curriculum too.

Social inequality den racial discrimination

Dem dey pull one woman wey be missionary inside rickshaw by some Congolese guys, around 1920 to 1930.

Di Belgia Congo get system wey dey separate people based on race an dem dey discriminate too. Dem get wetin dem call 'implicit apartheid'. Di colony put curfew for Congolese wey dey live for city, an plenty racial wahala dey happen. Léopoldville get di racist curfew wey e famous for, an dem use am as template for other European colonies like French Equatorial Africa wey dey close by. Even though dem no get proper laws wey dey separate people by race, segregation dey happen plenty for many places. For example, at first, de city centers be only for white people, while black people dey stay for places dem dey call 'cités indigènes' or 'le belge'. Hospitals, shop dem and other places no dey allow both whites and blacks to mix. For Force Publique, black people no fit rise pass non-commissioned officer rank. Plus, black folks for the cities no fit come out from 9 pm to 4 am. Dis kind segregation start dey vanish small-small only for 1950s, but even then, de Congolese dem still dey feel like second-class citizens, especially for politics and law matter.

King Albert I plus Queen Elisabeth inspecting de military camp of Léopoldville for de time of demma visit to de Belgian Congo, 1928

Sekof dem dey connect ekonomi growth with di 'civilizing mission', plus as state officials, missionaries plus private companies dey always help each other, people don sabi sey Belgian Congo dey ruled by one 'colonial trinity' of King-Church-Capital. Dis one fit mean di colonial state, di Christian missions, plus Société Générale de Belgique too.

Di way wey colonial policy take dey work, e get one saying wey Governor-General Pierre Ryckmans (1934–46) use: Dominer pour servir ('Dominate to serve'). Di colonial government wan make wey see am say dem dey nice plus no wahala for di administration, plus dem wan show Belgian Congo as di perfect colony. But na only for di 1950s e start change. For di 1950s, dem dey gradually draw back dem plenty harsh laws dem use punish di Congolese people (like di chicote wey be whip). From 1953, plus di big visit wey King Baudouin make to di colony for 1955, Governor-General Léon Pétillon (1952–1958) start dey try build one 'Belgian-Congolese community', where black plus white go dey equal. But still, di anti-miscegenation laws no clear, and from 1959 to 1962, plenty mixed-race Congolese pikin dem dey carry come out from Congo by Belgian government plus Catholic Church go Belgium.

For 1957, dem do first municipal elections wey black voters fit vote for some big cities — Léopoldville, Élisabethville, plus Jadotville.

Abolition of slavery

For Congo Free State, plenty men, women, and pikin dem free from Swahili Arab slave owners and traders for Eastern Congo between 1886 and 1892. Dem fit join militai (Force Publique) or dem go give am to local chiefs wey be friends, and dem go use dem as workers. Even though dem ban chattel slavery for 1910 when Belgian Congo start, dem still dey use prisoners as forced laborers for public den private projects.

Resistance

Di Congolese dem no gree colonization; dem dey fight am steady, e come take many shapes. As modern ideas and education dey enter ground, e dey spark plenty action. Armed wahala show for small-small parts till Second World War finish (like Pende wahala for 1931, and di gbagbe for Luluabourg 1944). After di war till late 1950s, wetin dem dey call 'Pax belgica' go dey. But e no mean say dem no dey resist; passive resistance dey plenty too, like Kimbanguism wey be from di ‘prophet’ Simon Kimbangu wey di Belgians lock up.

Aside active and passive wahala wey Congolese dey raise, di colonial government still dey hear plenty internal noise and gbege. Even for di 1920s, some people for Colonial Council wey dey for Brussels (like Octave Louwers) don talk plenty about di harsh way big companies dey recruit people for di mining places. Di slow growth for population for many areas—abi even wey dem dey chop plenty success for fight against sick sick like sleeping sickness—na another wahala wey dey worry dem. Low birth rate for countryside and some places dey empty usually link to di way traditional life don scatter because of forced work migration and compulsory farming. Dem dey talk say na wetin dem plan be dat, and dem dey point out how population dey increase for cities and how health plus lifespan don better thanks to modern medicine and better living condition. Plenty missionaries wey dey connect with Congolese villagers dey carry dem wahala for heart plus sometimes dem dey fit intervene for dem matter with di colonial administration (like land property questions).

Di missions plus some area administrators dem fit play big role for study and protect Congolese culture and language tradition plus di artifacts wey dey there. One good example na Father Gustaaf Hulstaert (1900–1990), wey insyde 1937 start di periodical Aequatoria wey dem dey use for di linguistic, ethnographic plus historical study of di Mongo people for di central Congo basin. Di colonial state dey interested for di cultural and scientific study of Congo, especially after di Second World War, through di setup of di Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale (IRSAC, 1948).

Toward independence

For early 1950s, di political freedom of di Congolese elites, no talk of di masses, e be like far dream. But e clear say Congo no fit dey far from di quick changes wey happen after di Second World War, wey scatter colonialism worldwide. Di independence wey di British, French, plus Dutch colonies for Asia get after 1945 no really change anything for Congo, but di pressure for Belgium from di United Nations don increase (just like all di other colonial powers). Belgium don agree to article 73 of di United Nations Charter wey talk about self-determination, plus di two superpowers dey pressure Belgium make dem change how dem dey run Congo; di Belgian government dey try hold body against wetin dem call 'interference' with dia colonial policy.

Colonial government dey talk how dem go make life beta for Congolese pipo. Since 1940s, dem don dey try small-small give some elite wey dem call évolués small civil rights, dem fit get small political power later. So, 'deserving' Congolese fit apply for proof of 'civil merit', or if dem fit do better, 'immatriculation' (registration), wey go show say dem don join European way of life. To get this status, applicant gats meet strict rules (like marry one wife, show good behavior, etc.) and dem go dey watch dem well well (wey de include house visits). Dis policy no work at all. For around mid-1950s, no be plenty Congolese wey don fit get di civil merit diploma or dem don get di 'immatriculation'. Di benefits wey dem dey talk say come with am—like equal legal status with di white folks—na mostly just talk, no be real. E dey make di évolués frustrated well well. When Governor-General Pétillon start dey talk say he go fit give di native people more civil rights, even voting, to create wetin he dey call 'Belgo-Congolese community', di people for Brussels no really send am, and some Belgians for Congo dey vex as dem dey fear for demma privilege.

E clear say Belgian government no get proper long-term plan for Congo matter. 'Colonial wahala' no dey trend for Belgium, as long as di colony dey shine and e dey quiet. But one person wey show concern na di young King Baudouin, wey take over from him papa, King Leopold III, for 1951, when dem force Leopold III to waka. Baudouin dey follow wetin dey happen for Belgian Congo well well.

Wen King Baudouin come visit Belgian Congo for de first time for 1955, crowd dey cheer am well-well, both whites and blacks dey dance, like as dem show for André Cauvin documentary, Bwana Kitoko. Foreign people wey dey observe, suc as de international correspondent of The Manchester Guardian or a Time journalist, talk say Belgian paddy paddy style dey work well, and dey compare how Belgian people dem loyal pass those French and British colonies wey dey restless. During di visit, King Baudouin carry Governor-General idea of 'Belgo-Congolese community' come front; but for real, dis plan dey move slow. At di same time, dem wahala wey dey divide for Belgium, wey dem fit hide from di colony before, start to enter Congo too. Dem talk say workers dey unite more now, dem dey call make public schools fit break mission schools for education, plus dem wan make both Belgian languages, French and Dutch, sabi equal treatment for colony. Before this, na only French dem dey push as colonial language. Governor-General dey fear say dis kind wahala fit spoil di colonial government image for Congolese, plus e go shift focus from di real need for true emancipation.

Political organisation

Joseph Kasa-Vubu, leader of ABAKO plus de first President dem elect democratically of de Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)

Patrice Lumumba, first democratically elected Prime Minister of de Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)

Di Congolese people join Second World War and dem hear say tings dey change for other colonies, e make dem start to organize make dem fit get power. Di colonial government no fit bring beta changes wey fit work, so di Congolese elites start to gather demself socially and later politically. For di 1950s, two separate types of nationalism show up among di Congolese elites. Di nationalist movement—wey di Belgian authorities no really watch—promote say di Belgian Congo go become one united state after dem get independence.

E get wetin wey de oppose this matter, na di ethno-religious and regional nationalism wey catch for di Bakongo area for di west coast, Kasai plus Katanga. Di first political groups na dem one. ABAKO wey dem establish for 1950 as di Association culturelle des Bakongo, and wetin Joseph Kasa-Vubu dey run, start as cultural group wey turn political sharp sharp. From di middle of 1950s, dem don dey shout against Belgian colonial rule well well. Plus, di group still dey serve as di main ethno-religious group for di Bakongo and dem blend well with di Kimbanguist Church wey be popular for lower Congo.

For 1955, Belgian prof Antoine van Bilsen drop one paper wey dem call Thirty Year Plan for the Political Emancipation of Belgian Africa. De plan get timetable wey say make dem gradually free Congo for 30 years—na the time wey Van Bilsen believe say e go take to build educated people wey fit take over from the Belgians for power. But the Belgian government and plenty of the évolués no happy with the plan—government no wan lose Congo, and the évolués sabi say Belgium go still dey rule for another three decades. One group of Catholic évolués yan am positive for the plan with one moderate manifesto for one Congolese journal wey dem dey call Conscience Africaine; dem talk some matter about how Congolese fit take part well well.

For 1957, as experiment matter, colonial government do organize di first local elections for three cities (Léopoldville, Elisabethville and Jadotville), wey Congolese people fit stand for office and vote. Watin happen for 1957–58 make demand for political freedom burst, no be small. Ghana independence for 1957 and President De Gaulle visit wey happen for August 1958 for Brazzaville, capital of di French Congo, across di Congo river from Léopoldville, wey e promise say France African colonies go fit choose between staying with France or full independence, make people for Congo get big dreams. Di World Exhibition wey dem do for Brussels for 1958 (Expo 58) be another eye-opener for plenty Congolese leaders, wey dem allow make dem travel go Belgium for di first time.

For 1958, people dey crave for independence sharp sharp and the koko don take off. Na Mouvement National Congolais (MNC) wey dey play big role for di matter. Dem start am for 1956, but dem officially set am up as national political party for October 1958, wey dey support make Congo be one strong nation. Di person wey dey lead dem well well na di charming Patrice Lumumba. For 1959, wahala start after Albert Kalonji and some MNC leaders wey wan dey moderate split from di main group (dem call dem Mouvement National Congolais-Kalonji). Even though di party get different waka, Lumumba faction (now Mouvement National Congolais-Lumumba) and di MNC still be di most important and influential party for Belgian Congo. Belgium vehemently de oppose Lumumba ein leftist views plus get grave concerns about de status of demma financial interests if Lumumba ein MNC come power.

Independence

As Belgium dey debate how to give Congolese people their freedom small-small, wahala just burst everywhere. On 4 January 1959, dem do one political demo for Léopoldville wey ABAKO organise, but e no gree control. Na so, the colonial capital begin catch fire with plenty chaos. E take dem days to bring back order, and if we count am well, hundreds don die. De eruption of violence sent a shockwave through de Congo den Belgium alike. On 13 January, King Baudouin use radio talk to the people say Belgium go work for Congo to get full independence fast, but no be to go rush am like mumu.

Dem no fit talk say independence go happen one particular day, but di government wey Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens dey lead, get plan for multi-year transition period. Dem think say provincial elections go happen for December 1959, national elections for 1960 or 1961, den after, dem go start hand over di admin and political duties small small to di Congolese, as dem dey expect say by mid-1960s e go don finish. But for ground, things dey change fast fast. Di colonial admin dey see different type of resistance, like people wey no wan pay tax. For some places, anarchy threatened. At di same time, plenty Belgians wey dey di Congo no wan independence, dem dey feel say Brussels don betray dem. As di Congolese dem dey demand better change, di government don see say di chance to make am smooth smooth no dey happen again fast fast.

Opening meeting of de Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference insyde Brussels on 20 January 1960

For 1959, King Baudouin come back to Belgian Congo, and e see say everywhere don change from the last time wey e visit four years ago. When e land for Léopoldville, wahala start as black Belgo-Congolese people dey throw stone for am because dem vex say dem don lock Lumumba up, wey dem convict say im dey incite against colonial government. Even though for other cities dem receive am better, dem dey shout “Vive le roi!” but e follow with “Indépendance immédiate!” The Belgian government no wan enter any gbege wey fit turn bloody like wetin happen to France for Indochina and Algeria, or Netherlands for Indonesia. So, dem dey reason say make dem fit agree for Congolese leaders wey dey shout for immediate independence.

Although dem no prepare well plus no plenty people wey educate dey (only small Congolese get degree for dat time), Belgian leaders still gree make independence happen. E be true say dem weak local elites fit work for Belgian government and business people, dem dey hope say dis go make am easy for dem to still dey control wetin dey happen for politics and economy. Dis style different from colonial wars and de slow decolonization wey other European countries dey do, dem sabi am as 'Le Pari Congolais'—di Congolese bet.

For January 1960, dem call Congolese leaders come Brussels make dem fit gather for round-table talk about independence. Dem free Patrice Lumumba from prison just for this matter. Na so the conference quick quick agree give Congolese almost all wetin dem ask: make dem do general election for May 1960 and full independence—'Dipenda'—go land on 30 June 1960. Na because of di strong unity wey Congolese delegation carry come.

Lumumba den Eyskens sign de document granting independence to de Congo

Political maneuvering ahead of de elections, Elections dey come, so dem form three political groups for ground: one na the federalist nationalists, wey dey include six separatist parties, like ABAKO and MNC—Kalonji; another one na centralist MNC—Lumumba; and last one be Moïse Tshombe, wey be big man for Katanga, wey wan protect the business wey dey for Union Minière (like Kalonji do for de diamond exploitations matter insyde Kasaï). Di parliamentary elections show say di political scene dey divided, with di regionalist group dem—ABAKO wey dey lead—plus di nationalist parties like MNC too do well. Dem force compromise make Kasa-Vubu be di first president of Republic of di Congo, and Lumumba be di first head of government. Just like dem plan am five months before, di handover ceremony wey di Belgians do happen well on time for 30 June 1960 for di new house of di Governor-General for Belgian Congo wey dey Léopoldville.

One week later, wahala begin for Force Publique, dem dey rebel against dem officers wey still dey mostly Belgian. Dis one spark plenty gbege all over Congo, na unhappy soldiers and sharp-sharp youths dey cause am. For plenty places, dem dey focus di violence on European people. In small time, Belgian soldiers and later UN intervention force carry plenty Belgians wey dey work and live for Congo come out, over 80,000 of dem.

Congo crisis plus wetin follow am

Di rebellion wey start for Thyssville for Bas-Congo for July 1960 quickly spread go everywhere for de Congo. For September 1960, di leaders split, wey President Kasa-Vubu declare say prime minister Lumumba no dey hold him work again, and di same thing happen back. Dem stop di stalemate when government arrest Lumumba. For January 1961, dem fly am go di rich mining province of Katanga, wey dem don declare say dem no wan join Léopoldville again under di leadership of Moïse Tshombe (wey Belgium dey support well well). Dem hand Lumumba over to Katangan authorities, wey kill am.

Belgian soldier dey lie for ground for de front of dead hostages, November 1964, for Stanleyville during Operation Dragon Rouge. Belgian parachutists free over 1,800 European and American hostages wey Congolese rebels hold.

For 2002, Belgium don officially say sorry for wetin dem do to Lumumba; people don dey talk say CIA sabi join am, because dem see say Lumumba dey too left. During Cold War, Soviet Union dey push e influence for Africa to gree fight European powers, e use 'anti-colonialism' as reason to increase de power insyde de region. Plenty rebellions and separatist wahala really mash up di dream of one united Congolese state wen dem just born. Even though di country don dey independent, Belgian paratroopers still show face for Congo plenty times to protect and carry Belgian and foreign people comot. United Nations dey do big peace-keeping work for Congo since late 1960. Di whole matter no settle until 1964–65. Katanga province come back inside, and dem so-called Simba Rebellion end for Stanleyville (province Orientale). Small time after dat, army colonel Joseph Désiré Mobutu come clear di political ground by taking power through coup d'état.

Mobutu get some backing for de West, especially for America, sekof e dey strong against communist people. At first, him rule dey boost economy well (like when dem build Inga dam wey dem plan since 1950s). To show say e no be like di old regime, him start campaign wey dem call Congolese 'authenticity'. For 1966, di government stop to use colonial place names: Léopoldville change go Kinshasa, Elisabethville turn Lubumbashi, plus Stanleyville become Kisangani. This time, Congo dey maintain good economic den political relationship with Belgium. Some money matta still dey hang after independence (dem dey call am 'contentieux'), like how dem suppose transfer shares for de big mining companies wey colonial state hold. For 1970, on top de ten years independence celebration, King Baudouin come pay official state visit to de Congo.

Mobutu regime dey turn more radical for the 1970s. Dem Mouvement populaire de la Révolution (MPR) wey Mobutu be di founder, don set up one-party rule well well. Political wahala increase plenty. Mobutu come change di name of Congo to republic of Zaïre. Di so-called 'Zaïrisation' wey happen for mid-1970s make plenty foreign workers run come out and e cause economic wahala. For di 1980s, Mobutu regime dey become big example of mismanagement plus corruption. De relationship with Belgium, di former colonial master, dey chop ups and downs, show say e dey decline for economic, financial and political side. Since no be chance say di country go fall into Soviet hand, di Western powers just dey stay neutral.

Equestrian statue of Leopold II insyde Kinshasa

After Soviet Union fall and Cold War end for late 1980s, Mobutu no get support from West again. For 1990, e decide say make e end the one-party matter and come back to democracy sharp-sharp. But he dey drag feet, dey play his enemies against each other make e fit buy time. That bloody wahala from Zaïrian Army dem give students for Lubumbashi University Campus May 1990 come make Belgium and Zaïre relationship spoil. Not so nice, Mobutu no receive invite for King Baudouin funeral for 1993, wey him see am as big personal insult.

For 1997, dem force Mobutu comot power by rebel wey Laurent-Désiré Kabila dey lead. E come declare say e be president and change Zaïre name to Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dem kill Kabila for 2001, plus him son Joseph Kabila take over. For 2006, dem confirm Joseph Kabila as president when dem do di first nationwide free elections for Congo since 1960. From 30 June – 2 July 2010, King Albert II and Yves Leterme, di Belgian Prime Minister, come visit Kinshasa for celebrate di 50th anniversary of Congolese independence.

Some practices plus traditions from colonial days still dey happen for independent Congo. Dem get strong central government wey be bureaucratic, and dem still dey follow di same setup for education and court system. Congo don influence Belgium mostly for money matter: with Union Minière (now Umicore) work, nonferrous metal industry dey grow, plus Port of Antwerp plus diamond business too. Till now, Brussels Airlines wey take over from Sabena still dey carry weight for DRC. Dem talk say insyde 2010, over 4,000 Belgian people dey stay for DRC, plus de Congolese community for Belgium atleast strong pass 16,000. De "Matongé" quarter insyde Brussels be de traditional focal point of de Congolese community insyde Belgium.

Culture

Music

For popular music, Latin music like rumba come from Cuba for 1930s and 1940s when colonial time dey run, plus dem dey play Latin music well plenty for Belgian Congo. For 1950s, American jazz also come enter as African jazz. For 1956, Franco form OK Jazz (later dem change de name to TPOK Jazz).

Joseph Kabasele, wey dem dey call Le Grand Kallé (The Great Kallé), na him start African Jazz. House bands dey trend now, and rumba congolaise dey show face too. Marlo Mashi na one musician from dat same time. Congo popular music come from all these continental rhythm, church music, Ghana high life, plus traditional Congo music.

Check am too

• Archives Africaines (Belgium), which keeps material related to Belgian Congo
• Les Belges dans l'Afrique Centrale
• Districts of the Belgian Congo
• Belgian Congo in World War II
• Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Tintin in the Congo

Bibliography

• Arnot, Frederick Stanley (1914). Missionary travels in central Africa. Bath : Office of Echoes of Service.
• Cunningham, Richard (1973). The place where the world ends; a modern story of cannibalism and human courage. New York: Sheed and Ward. ISBN 978-0-83620-5435.
• Hogg, Gary (1983). Cannibalism & Human Sacrifice. Coles publishing. pp. 18–24, 81.
• Freund, Bill (1998). The Making of Contemporary Africa: The Development of African Society since 1800 (2nd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave-Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-333-69872-3.
• Pakenham, Thomas (1992). The Scramble for Africa: the White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876 to 1912 (13th ed.). London: Abacus. ISBN 978-0-349-10449-2.

• Renders, Luc (2020). The Congo in Flemish Literature: An Anthology of Flemish Prose on the Congo, 1870s–1990s. Leuven: Leuven University Press. ISBN 978-9462702172.
• Turner, Thomas (2007). The Congo Wars: Conflict, Myth and Reality (2nd ed.). London: Zed Books. ISBN 978-1-84277-688-9.
• Vansina, Jan (2010). Being Colonized: The Kuba Experience in Rural Congo, 1880-1960. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 978-0299236441.
• Vanthemsche, Guy (2012). Belgium and the Congo, 1885–1980. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-19421-1.
• Africa Missionaries : an honor roll of the missionaries of the Methodist Church in [Africa]. New York, NY: Board of Missions and Church Extension, the Methodist Church. 1945.
• "Bishop John McKendree Springer". United Methodist Communications. 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.

Historiography

• Stanard, Matthew G. "Belgium, the Congo, and Imperial Immobility: A Singular Empire and the Historiography of the Single Analytic Field,"French Colonial History (2014) vol 15 -109.
• Vanthemsche, Guy. 'The historiography of Belgian colonialism in the Congo" in C Levai ed., Europe and the World in European Historiography (Pisa University Press, 2006), pp. 89–119. online

Insyd French anaa Dutch

• Victor Prévot (1961). "L'œuvre belge au Congo". L'Information géographique (in French). 25 (3): 93–100. doi:10.3406/ingeo.1961.2068 – via Persee.fr.
• Ndaywel è Nziem, Isidore (1998). Histoire générale du Congo. Paris and Brussels: De Boeck & Larcier.
• Stengers, Jean (2005). Congo, Mythes et réalités. Brussels: Editions Racines.
• Van Reybrouck, David (2010). Congo, Een geschiedenis. Amsterdam: De Bezige Bij.

External links

• Cana, Frank Richardson (1911). "Congo Free State". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 917–928.
• Cana, Frank Richardson (1922). "Belgian Congo". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 30 (12th ed.). pp. 428–429.