Congo-Free Country Officially Becomes Privately Owned Region Of Belgian King Leopold II In History Today, February 5, 1885

The statue of Belgian King Leopold II in Brussels, Belgium. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA History today, 139 years ago, February 5, 1885, King of Belgium, Leopold II officially made the Congo-Free Country (now: Democratic Republic of the Congo) a private property. This right was obtained by Leopold because he received his blessing at the Berlin Conference.

A meeting that regulates European trade and colonialism in Africa. Previously, European countries' competition to colonize the African country often occurred. Leopold did not want to be left behind. He wanted to colonize Congo to build Belgium and fat the kingdom's pockets.

The love of the European nation to colonize is not a mere empty message. The narrative has been shown since time immemorial. On the African continent, the main thing. They consider Africa to be a warehouse for profits. Natural resources are abundant and cheap labor is piled up.

The narrative made the European people arrive one after another. Later the King of Belgium, Leopold II, also attracted. He looked at Congo because the region is known to be rich in natural resources: rubber and metal seeds.

Problems arise. Belgium is not a big force in the map of world imperialism. The Philippines alone cannot be colonized. Leopold tried to turn his mind to Congo. However, the mission will not be easy. The strategy was played. Leopold began packing a brilliant strategy.

He understands Belgium's capacity in war. Belgium will not be able to beat the existing major countries. Leopold tried to enter with a narrative of humanitarian missions. He provided his plan by establishing the International Association of Congo.

The association emerged like a savior who would build Congo. Roads were built. He tried to approach many tribal chiefs to support him. He seemed to want to be imaged as a savior. Everything he did to trick the big countries of the world into taking sides.

In November 1878 Leopold formed the Congo International Association to open up Africa's interior to European trade along the Congo River. Between 1879 and 1882, under the auspices of the association, Leopold was ordered to set up a station in the top Congo and open negotiations with tribal chiefs.

In 1884, the Congo International Association signed an agreement with 450 independent African entities. On that basis, affirming its right to regulate the entire relevant territory as an independent country, "is written on the Britannica page.

The results of his work in Congo paid off. Care (by tricking) and the approval of many tribal chiefs made other major countries (Germany, one of which) support Leopold in managing the Congo. The decision was disclosed at the Berlin Conference 1884-1885.

Leopold immediately stepped on the gas. His greed can be seen since he received his blessing. He also founded a Congo-Free Country as his personal territory (not a belgium colony) on February 5, 1885. Since then the Leopold scene was visible. Instead of wanting to build a Congo, he actually dredged the natural results of Congo.

The bumiputras were not spared from being slavery victims. They were squeezed like dairy cows. Whoever doesn't, then torture to death will await. The advantage of the colonialism made Leopold known as the King of the Builders. He built many things in Belgium from colonial money. The new Congo changed its status to a Belgian colony in 1908.

Congo was independent in 1960. The country lasts forever known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A country different from the Republic of Congo that was once colonized by France.

Leopold runs a Congo-Free Country as an attempt for personal gain and building Belgium. With troops covering the orphans of Congo, the king and his agents drain the land resources.

Leopold then forcibly moved, separated, and killed the families of the natives. The terrible incident happened before Leopold was forced by major countries to give control over the region back to the Belgian state, not personally," explained Megan Specia and Monica Pronczuk in her article on The New York Times website entitled Beligium's King Sents Letter of Regret Over Colonial Past in Congo (2021).