Why Did Nobody Stop the Belgians’ Atrocities in the Congo?

The question of why the world did not intervene to stop the Belgian atrocities in the Congo has perplexed historians and scholars for decades. This piece delves into the complexities and reasons behind the lack of global response.

Understanding the Context: Colonial Standards and Public Perception

The colonial era was marked by exploitation and violence, but the horrors committed by the Belgians in the Congo were considered particularly egregious. It's essential to understand that the Belgian atrocities at that time were worse than many other forms of colonial exploitation, yet they took more time to be recognized.

The Role of the British Empire

The British Empire played a critical role in uncovering these atrocities, but their motives were not purely altruistic. The British financed the Casement Report, a study that exposed the brutality of Leopold II's rule. The report featured infamous photographs and launched an international media campaign to highlight the inhumane practices.

Before the Casement Report, rumors and testimonies were the only sources of information, which were not as convincing. The British Empire initiated the report because they had ulterior motives. Their desire to maintain their influence and the belief that attacking Leopold was the best defense were key factors.

Leopold's Acquisition of the Congo Colony

Leopold II did not just stumble upon the Congo; he actively pursued it through two major promises:

Free Access for Visitors and Investors: Leopold promised the Congo would be a free zone, not monopolized by any specific country like Belgium. End the Arab Slave Trade: Leopold pledged to end the Arab slave trade via the Indian Ocean, a trade that was similarly horrific by colonial standards.

Leopold's failure to uphold his promises, particularly his troops' expansion as far North as South Sudan, upset the British. This rivalry had to be addressed, as the British were also responsible for their own dubious practices in maintaining the Arab slave trade.

The British Empire's Dilemma

The British Empire had to maintain its influence in the Arab world, which meant underfunding anti-slavery patrols in the Indian Ocean. They used a dangling carrot approach, feigning efforts to fight the slave trade while secretly weakening their own stance.

The 1889 article featuring Tippu Tip, a notorious slave catcher, exemplifies this contradiction. The article portrayed Tippu Tip as a noble figure, despite his inhumane practices, to maintain good relations with Arab elites.

The Stokes Affair: A Key Moment

The Stokes Affair in 1895 was a turning point. British subject Charles Stokes was caught, tried, and promptly executed by Leopold's men for selling arms to slave catchers from Zanzibar. The British Empire chose not to intervene, recognizing the strategic importance of maintaining good diplomatic relations.

The British responded to the rumors of atrocities by sending envoys and missionaries to investigate. The Belgian parliament followed suit, ordering a counter-investigation that corroborated the Casement report. In a narrow vote, the Belgian parliament voted to strip the king of his colony and make it a Belgian one.

The Role of Rubber and Forced Labor

The key to exploiting the Congo's resources was rubber, which was harvested through forced labor. The Congolese refused to extract rubber safely, and by 1908, slavery was no longer an option. However, forced labor continued locally.

World War II and the Final Stride

During World War II, rubber from the Congo played a critical role in equipping Allied forces. The use of Congo's resources further fueled the independence movements in the post-war period.

The atrocities in the Congo serve as a stark reminder of the darker aspects of colonialism and the complex interplay of international power dynamics during that era.