I am currently working on putting together a video for Congo, brief history and causes of the wars that never seemed to end nor abide by any peace treaties. From the 1990s, Over FIVE MILLION people have died because of these war(s). This war produced first Afrikan "world war" in which multi-nations had troops in the war. What is the war ultimately about? Not independence of any sort, in my opinion, it is about who controls and benefits from mineral resources.
The above picture is my capsule of what I found out about king Leopold and the Belgian rule. I haven't read all of responses, yet, but the beginning was about returning king Leopold kind of discussion... Surely, if some contributors knew more of what Leopold did, then there wouldn't be a discussion nor arguments about 'being racist' and such. We don't need such a tyrant!
Yes, this country is rich in minerals, however from day 1 of independence (reluctantly given), this richness has been more of curse than a blessing. The locals would support and voice this notion. So much blood shed over this by greediness that cares not for the public's welfare. I feel that, had Mr. Lumumba survived and ruled, this country might have been the South Africa in terms of infrastructure and wealth. It has probably helped built SA. CIA killed Lumumba because he didn't subscribe to capitalism. Recall that this was at the height of the 'Cold War', and any Afrikan leader whom either wanted Afrikan unity (as Kwame Nkrumah and Nasser) did or was going to be USSR friend, was their enemy - and was either killed, or his country infiltrated to create chaos and coup. Joseph Mobutu who later named himself Mobutu Seseko, was eager to support capitalism at the expense of his own people, and as such received American support to stay in power - despite his dictatorship and mistreatments towards his people.
Presently, the world is ruled by CONGLOMERATES. The governments in place are there to enable these conglomerates business continuum and/or growth. It is the case in Congo with sub-plots by Hutu's militia responsible for the Rwandan genocide. It is once again, 'divide n conquer' done by companies whose only care is profits. The so-called leaders in Congo are brainwashed by 'bling bling' money, they don't care about 'the people' ... in fact they have become devilish butcherers.
Immediately after independence, the known rich Katanga created the known "Congo crisis" and the demise of Lumumba. Fast forward, now Goma has riches, and has become a war zone. CONGO'S RICHES ARE A CURSE TO ITS CITIZENS FOR THEY DON'T BENEFIT A CENT, BUT ARE KILLED AND DISPLACED MAKING THEIR LIVES MORE DIFFICULT.
** Would any war in the west be let to continue after few thousands deaths? Yet, 5 MILLION DEATHS, and foreign companies from USA to China are scrambling to obtain mining lands - without wanting to engage in solving political killings that are really fueled by their presence.