Joshua Maponga on King Leopold II killing 20 million Africans

King Leopold II was the King of Belgium from 1865 to 1909. He is most famously known for his brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State, which was his personal colony in Central Africa. Under his reign, Leopold subjected the Congolese people to forced labor, brutal treatment, and rampant human rights abuses, all in the pursuit of natural resources, particularly rubber.

The exact death toll of Africans under Leopold's rule is difficult to ascertain, but it is estimated that millions lost their lives due to various reasons, including forced labor, starvation, disease, and violence inflicted by colonial forces. Leopold's policies and actions resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe for the African population in the Congo.

His reign and actions in the Congo have been widely criticized and condemned as one of the most egregious examples of colonial exploitation and abuse in history. It also played a significant role in shaping the discourse around colonialism and human rights.
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