Statue Of King Leopold II Of Belgium

OSTEND, WEST FLANDERS, BELGIUM - FEBRARY 20: Statue of Leopold II of Belgium and absolute ruler of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908 is seen on February 20, 2021 in Ostende, Belgium. To consolidate his hold on his colonial territory, Léopold Louis-Philippe Marie Victor de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha set up an army, the Force Publique (Public Force), which became known for its cruelty, looting and lack of discipline. This force becomes an instrument to terrorize the civilian population. One of his practices was to cut hands as a result of insufficient rubber production. The resistance movements are also brutally crushed by this militia. (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)