Decolonization in the Belgian Congo

Belgian Congo Key Points Illustrates the extent of exploitation Nature of Belgian Colonialism Impact of the Cold War

Congo Pre-Colonial History Kongo Kingdom Dealing with the Portuguese Spread of Christianity Atlantic Slave Trade Kongo supply of slaves to Brazil

Belgian Colonialism Congo Free State 1885-1908 Charter Companies: Rubber production, forced labor, and exploitation 1908 Bring the Congo Under Belgium Government Size 1 million square miles Administrative Divisions Léopoldville, Equateur, Orientale and Katanga,

Economy Mineral Production after WWI Copper and cobalt in Katanga, diamond in Kasai, gold in Ituri Private companies: Belgian Société Générale Expansion of transport: rail lines Congo as leading producer of copper ore (80,000 tons of copper in 1926) Recruitment of workers from villages Thousands of people were transferred to the Katanga region lands were appropriated and given to White settlers (colons) to produce palm oil and cotton Racial segregation

Colonial Policies Provision of education and health care by Roman Catholic Church Education was limited to European children African children began to enter schools in 1950s to produce clerks, typist The highest level was primary school The first university was established in 1954 Relegation of Congolese to lower ranks in the army and the civil service

Congolese Nationalism The nationalist movement reflected the Congo’s regional divisions and its different cultural traditions

Western Congo The west was the heart of the Congo Kingdom inhabited by Ba Kongo speakers a The political party was called Association Des Bakongo based in the city of Leopoldville Leader Joseph Kasavubu Strong Christian influences The activities of the messianic preacher: Simon Kimbangu Spent 30 years preaching in the region and established an independent church

Northern Region Nationalist movement was dominated by small educated class and civil servants The political organization was called Mouvemenet Nationale Populaire which was more radical Its leader was Patrice Lumumba who was a post-office worker

Patrice Lumumba

Political Movement in Katanga Katanga the richest region Confederation Des Associations Tribale Du Katanga Leader Moise Tshombe A businessman who was a descendant from royal family in Lunda Conservative and strong opponent of Lumumba’s radical politics Supported by European business

Transfer of power Political Reforms in late1950s Conflict over Political System: Federation or Union Round Table Conference and Transfer of Power in June 1960 Belgium did not prepare a gradual transfer of power More than 21 parties competing for elections Election Results: No Party Won a Decisive Majority Coalition Government: Patrice Lumumba as Prime Minister Joseph Kasavubu as President

Post-independence Crises in Congo Challenges: lack of experienced politicians and bureaucracy Army Mutiny in Kinshasa against European Officers Moise Tshombe and secession of Katanga with the support of European settlers Ethnic violence United Nations resolution: Rejection of Katanga claims Split of the government between KasaVubu and Lumumba Placing Lumumba under house arrest by colonel Joseph Désiré Mobutu

Lumumba attempt to escape and his capture In January 1961, he was flown to Katanga and handed to his arch enemy Tshombe Lumumba was secretly executed

Lumumba’s assassination as a direct product of Cold War climate. Considered as an ally of the Soviet Union His enemies: Belgian government, European business, CIA In 2002 Belgium officially apologized A 1975 congressional investigation of the affair found that: In an August 1960 cable to CIA headquarters, an officer in the field called Lumumba a ''commie" and a “Soviet pawn.” The head of the CIA cabled back: “Lumumba had to go” Lumumba’s assassination led to a big outcry throughout Africa and the third world where was highly revered His family was invited to Egypt by Nasser, where they grew up and

Continuation of Rebellions 1964–65. Katanga province was re-absorbed and rebellions ended Shortly after that army colonel Joseph Désiré Mobutu seized power through a military coup Western support of Mobutu: presented himself as an anti-Communist His campaign of Congolese "authenticity". Abandoning European names: Léopoldville was renamed as Kinshasa Elisabethville Lubumbashi Stanleyville Kisangani Renamed the Congo the republic of Zaïre Development of culture and music: Zairian dance music

1970s establishment of a one party rule Mouvement populaire de la Révolution  Increased repression and authoritarianism Financial support from World Bank and IMF Mismanagement and corruption Mobutu reportedly embezzled $12 billions

Decline of Western Support after Soviet Union and end of the Cold War Rebellions in the countryside: Laurent-Desire Kabila In 1997, Mobutu was overthrown by Kabila Kabila became president and renamed Zaïre as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)  Assassination of Kabila in 2001 Succeeded by his son Joseph Kabila Continuation of civil wars