- King Leopold II of Belgium administered the Congo very brutally in the interest of his personal wealth
The Congo became the Belgian government's responsibility rather than King Leopold II in 1908 - The Congolese had little to no experience in self government or adminitration
- Different political parties and freedom of the press were bannned
- Elites in the colonies made decisions based on their own needs as opposed to the needs of the people
- In 1957, municipal elections were held and won by the Abako political party
- In 1959, violent riots in Leopoldville and Stanleyville made Belgium consider Congo's indepedence as inevitable
- It was decided that elections for a territorial assembly would be held
- Produced 120 political groups led by educated Congolese elites, which reflected the ethnic diversity of the Congo
- Congolese nationalist movement was the only group that promoted nationalist ideology
- Belgium was worried about the political unrest in the colony
- The Congolese wanted immediate independence while Belgium wanted a transitional scheme and gradual program of self-government
- Congo gained independence on June 30, 1960 at the Round Table Conference